Gov’t to finance psychological assistance for those affected by Shovi landslide disaster

Those affected by the landslide that hit the western Georgian resort of Shovi earlier this month, and family members of those who died or disappeared during the tragedy, will receive psychological assistance free of charge, the Government Administration said on Wednesday.

The decision was made at today’s weekly Government meeting, with the announcement saying the services would be financed by the state and made available both in the capital city of Tbilisi and other regions. 

In other decisions, the Government meeting set the national Teacher’s Day on October 27, to mark the birthday of Iakob Gogebashvili - a Georgian educator, teacher, publicist, writer and founder of the scientific pedagogy in the country. The date will be used to “emphasise the role of teachers in the society”. 

Every year, for their special contribution to the development of the society and the education system, meritorious teachers will be awarded the national teacher's award, a specially designed badge and a monetary award in the amount of ₾10,000 ($3,795)”, the Government announcement also said.

The meeting also discussed the construction of an irrigation reservoir on the Ilto River in the eastern region of Kakheti, with a technical and economic study set for the project aimed to improve water supply on an area of 40,000 hectares of the Lower and Upper Alazani areas.