Humanitarian crisis in occupied Akhalgori reaches critical level, locals unable to receive pensions

Georgia’s Russia-occupied municipality of Akhalgori faces a humanitarian crisis, as the area has been completely closed due to the coronavirus pandemic nearly six months and locals are unable to receive their pensions, IPN reports.

Akhalgori Governor Nugzar Tinikashvili, who confirmed the information says that the socio-economic situation in occupied Akhalgori has reached a critical level.

Locals are not able to come to the territory controlled by the central government of Georgia to receive quality medical care and pensions. They can not see their family members and relatives … There is a shortage of cattle and dairy products in the occupied villages”, said Tinikashvili.

Georgia’s new Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Tea Akhvlediani said the situation is extremely difficult in Akhalgori municipality.

The population has been in practical captivity for six months. They can not come to Tbilisi-controlled territory to buy products. It has been nearly three years since the occupation regime banned cattle from entering the Akhalgori area, creating additional problems for locals'', said Akhvlediani while visiting occupied villages of Gegutiantkari, Khurvaleti and Odzisi, alongside the occupation line of Tskhinvali/South Ossetia.

Akhvlediani has also visited the families of illegally abducted citizens, Zaza Gakheladze and Khvicha Mghebrishvili, to whom the  minister introduced the ongoing efforts of the Georgian authorities to secure the release Georgian citizens from the occupying regime.