420 refugee families receive new apartments in Tskaltubo, western Georgia

The Georgian government has given 420 refugee families apartments in a new residential complex built in Tskaltubo, in western Georgia earlier today.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said that the government had spent 37 million GEL to build 'a new, modern-standard residential complex for the IDPs' in Tskaltubo.

We all remember the dire conditions in which they were forced to live... On one hand, I congratulate you on the occasion of receiving your new apartments. On the other hand, our main goal and dream, our major concern, is to return to our homes in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali", said Garibashvili.

PM Garibashvili giving the key of new apartment to a little girl. Photo: PM's press office.

Hundreds of refugee families were forced to live in dire conditions in Tskaltubo's 15 sanatoria after being displaced from their homes from Russian-occupied Georgian region of Abkhazia following the 1992-93 war, as a result of which Abkhazia declared independence and nearly all ethnic Georgians were forced to flee. 

After providing them with housing all sanatoria where IDPs have lived for years will be closed. 

In total 560 refugee families have received apartments in Tskaltubo.

Garibashvili said that since October 1, 2012, the government has provided and legalised living spaces and apartments for 27,000 refugee families.