Families of deceased and wounded Georgian soldiers gifted new homes

The families of more than a dozen soldiers who died in battle or were seriously injured while serving their countries, were granted new homes today in a military housing program.

More than 17 soldiers’ families took their first steps inside their new homes when they received apartments in the military settlement in the Tbilisi district of Varketili.

Under the decision of the Georgian Government, military servicemen and their families were handed new apartments in their ownership with a symbolic price, through direct sales in Tbilisi.

The family of First Class military soldier Zurab Gurgenashvili, who died during ISAF mission, was the first recipients of the housing project, gifted by Georgia’s Defense Minister Irakli Alasania, Deputy Minister Vako Avaliani and Chief of General Staff Armed Forces General-Major Vakhtang Kapanadze.

A house was also granted to Sergeant Avtandil Jakelidze, who was gravely wounded in the Georgia- Russia war in August 2008.

"It is our responsibilities to support our military personnel. [Their social well-being is important] and these homes were provided because they performed well and did a great job for our country. They served to protect our homeland, promote our international reputation and our international commitments,” Alasania said.

The residential flats were handed over to 17 families today – 12 families of soldiers who died during ISAF in Afghanistan and OIF Mission in Iraq.

Five other families of military personnel who were seriously injured during the 2008 war were also provided with new living conditions.

For these five families, apartments were renovated and equipped with special equipment to help the wounded soldiers in their day to day lives.

Construction at Varketili Military Town is continuing. An additional 260 Georgian soldier’s families will be provided with residential properties under the housing initiative.