Georgian, foreign experts plan recovery of flood-damaged Tbilisi
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Georgian and foreign experts are starting to design a strategy of ways to repair the flood-affected Vere River and its ravine, in a bid to prevent a similar disaster occurring in the future.
Geologists, urban architects, geo-constructors, engineers and other specialists from near and far gathered in Tbilisi today to prepare a qualified conclusion about the cause of the June 13 Tbilisi disaster and offer a plan how to overcome this challenge.
The experts will be involved in implementing any project within the disaster zone. Their work will fall within the responsibilities of the newly created Interagency Commission, which had its first meeting today. The Commission was initiated by Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili.
We should create a precedent of open discussions and involve specialists in the processes. We, the decision-making people, should be aware of all alternative ideas,” said Garibashvili.
The first meeting of Interagency Commission was held today. Photo from PM's Facebook page.
The PM announced the World Bank, Red Cross, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and USAID representatives as well as US, Swedish and German governments and Ambassadors accredited in Georgia had expressed readiness to support Georgia as it recovered from the disaster.
Garibashvili added "the door of the Interagency Commission is open for any expert willing to get involved in the working process”.
Georgia’s Interagency Commission is co-chaired by PM Garibashvili and Tbilisi Mayor David Narmania. Other members include the ministers of Georgia’s Economy, Energy, Finance, Internal Affairs, Environment Protection, Regional Development and Infrastructure Ministries.
Expert members of the Commission include Irakli Maskharashvili (creator of Mziuri Park project), Tato Beridze (coast-protecting specialist), Tamaz Shilakadze (designed the New Road Highway that links Heroes Square to Vake district), Davit Abulaze (Architects’ Union), Givi Gavardashvili (director of Water Management Institute), Giorgi Rostomashvili (director of Developers’ Union), Badri Ukleba (hydrologist), Giorgi Gotsiridze, Lado Vardosanidze, Niko Kakhetelidze, Tariel Taliashvili, Chichiko Janelidze, Merab Gaprindashvili, Nino Gogoberidze and others.
The duties of the Interagency Commission
As well as being involved in future projects implemented in the disaster zone, the experts are also tasked with planning how to better protect the lives of those who reside in the flood-affected area.
The Commission is also obligated to create a common policy for projecting and constructing infrastructure in the disaster zone. The experts should plan and coordinate loss compensation activities.
At the same time the professionals should study the area and learn what caused the disaster, which had a catastrophic effect in a suburb of Tbilisi.
The Commission should also develop a comprehensive plan for the future of Vere ravine.
The people of Georgia, private and state organisations, global donors and foreign governments are all generously donating to relief funds that will assist the hundreds of people affected by the devastating flood in Tbilisi and help fund the rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure in Georgia’s capital.
The United States (US) is sending teams of experts to assist local services recover from the flash flood that caused major damage in Tbilisi last weekend.
Lithuania has joined the global campaign to support and stand by Tbilisi flood victims by hosting a charity concert.
Banks in Georgia are stepping up to help the people who were hit hardest by the destructive flood in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi on June 13.
Georgia’s capital city has been granted an additional 44 million GEL from the state budget to cover increasing costs related to the Tbilisi flood and the upcoming European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF).
A group of Georgian experts have come together to develop ways to repair severely damaged infrastructure and the flood-affected Vere River and its ravine in a bid to prevent future disasters in capital Tbilisi like the June 13 tragedy.
Georgia's Environment Ministry is condemning any new construction in the Vere River valley as the area is mostly municipal territory and deemed potentially vulnerable to future natural disasters.
A British crisis risk and security consultant says Georgia is making "impressive” gains to recover from last month’s deadly flood after viewing flood-ravaged areas in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi.