Gov’t extends support programme for Ukrainians in Georgia
The social assistance for Ukrainians are exactly the same rates that IDPs from Georgia’s Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions have. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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The Georgian government on Tuesday said it was extending the assistance programme for Ukrainian nationals stranded in Georgia by the ongoing war in their country to May 1 next year.
Launched in July, the support programme includes monetary provisions for accommodation and living expenses and applies to Ukrainian citizens who have entered Georgia after February 1 and those with the right to permanent residence in Ukraine but unable to return to the country due to the ongoing hostilities.
In comments on the move, Zurab Azarashvili, the minister of internally displaced persons and health, said the government had been “actively supporting” Ukrainian nationals since the beginning of the conflict in late February, with Tbilisi city hall and the tourism department taking responsibility for Ukrainian refugees until July 15.
Since July, my body has been taking care of [those fleeling the war]. We have special points at the borders where they can apply for help. We provide support for families with monthly rent and also ensure social assistance. These are exactly the same rates that IDPs from [Georgia’s Russian-occupied] Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) have”, said the minister.
The minister said that Georgia has been standing by Ukraine since the first days of the conflict. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Azarashvili said the government had spent about ₾1.6 million ($571,000) on social assistance and apartment rents for Ukrainian citizens, while the cost of temporary housing before their status was determined had amounted to ₾200,000 ($72,000).
We have also spent ₾800,000 ($286,000) on [their] medical services in different clinics across the country. As of now, 500 families receive [expenses for] apartment rent - which is ₾300 ($107) monthly - and more than 1,050 individuals receive monthly social assistance", he noted.
The official also said that along with the Georgian authorities, the United Nations Refugee Agency was providing ₾250 ($89) monthly financial aid for Ukrinans in Georgia.
The Georgian Government has supported Ukraine “at all international levels” and will continue to do so on the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of the country, Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili told a meeting of the Government on Monday.
Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday vowed his government’s support for Ukraine during an address at the 77th session of the United Nations general assembly, stressing Russia’s violations of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, UN charter and international law.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on Tuesday said the “struggle of the Ukrainian people” in their self-defence from the ongoing Russian invasion had “already completely changed” the world's geopolitics.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Wednesday highlighted the Government’s support for Ukraine "from the very first days" of its defence from the Russian invasion, stressing the humanitarian aid sent to the war-torn country and the political support for Ukraine in international formats.
The Georgian health ministry on Wednesday said there was “no delay” in provision of the social assistance programme for Ukrainian nationals stranded in Georgia by the war in their home country, in response to a post published on social media on behalf of Ukrainian citizens in Georgia and claiming aid was not reaching them.
Andriy Kasianov, the charge d'affaires of Ukraine in Georgia, on Friday thanked the Georgian government for extending its socioeconomic support programme for Ukrainian refugees stranded in the country by the war in their homeland, and welcomed the opening of an information centre for Ukrainian nationals at Tbilisi airport.
Ukrainian children affected by the ongoing conflict in their country will spend 10 days travelling across Georgia with the support of the Georgian parliament and government, Archil Talakvadze, the Georgian parliament vice speaker, said on Monday.
Revaz Javelidze, the Head of the Georgian Government Administration, on Friday said the country’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili had instructed the Ministry of Economy to purchase generators for providing them as aid to Ukraine “in the shortest terms possible”.
A group of Ukrainian children and their coaches from the Olympic School of the country’s southern city of Mykolaiv arrived in Georgia on Monday for a 10-day tour involving sports events, entertaining activities and recreation, in a solidarity move for helping citizens of the country defending itself from the ongoing Russian invasion.
Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Monday said his Government would send power generators to Ukraine as a form of aid by the end of the year.
The Georgian Government has sent 25 high-power generators to Ukraine by order of the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, the Economy Ministry announced on Wednesday, noting the Government continued to “actively” support Ukrainian people.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday highlighted the move of the country’s Ambassador to Ukraine and his staff to keep their work in Kyiv following the Russian invasion of the country in February while diplomats of other countries were leaving the under-fire city, in comments to the annual Ambassadors Conference.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili all Monday said while his Government respected sovereignty of all countries its work was motivated by national interest in the first place, in comments on critical claims by some Ukrainian officials on an alleged lack of support from Georgia following Russia's invasion of the former.
The Georgian Embassy in Ukraine has handed over 25 power generators to authorities in the country in the latest aid package sent from Georgia amid the ongoing military conflict, the Georgian Ministry of Economy announced on Friday.
Gia Tsagareishvili, an MP of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Monday accused Andriy Kasyanov, the charge d'affaires of Ukraine to Georgia, of making “provocative statements” over Tbilisi’s refusal to provide arms for Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia.
The Georgian Government has ruled to allow Ukrainian citizens to enter the country without visas and stay for two years, extending the standard one-year period.
Georgia has shown its solidarity with Ukraine through political acts despite the Russian occupation of two of its regions and presence of Russian troops in the territories, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said on Monday.