The Interim Government Commission on responding to the needs of the affected population in the villages along the dividing line held a sitting chaired by the State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili and Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure Maia Tskitishvili.

At its 20th session, the Commission heard the report on its work and planned future events. Participants discussed the needs of the population living along the dividing lines and ways to solve them.

“Since 2013, this commission has done a really impressive work. Most importantly, this was directly reflected in the population living in these 116 villages. We talk about 50,000 people. Today, we have discussed some issues that are particularly important to them. The first was related to the winter period. In particular, assistance with a 200 GEL voucher. Some of locals will use it to cover gas costs since we completed the gasification of all the villages with a $19 million project. Some will use it for firewood.

“Also, today the Commission has decided that students from all villages along the dividing lines will still receive state funding for the 2019-2020 academic year, which is a huge benefit for their families. The dynamics of pupils and students in these villages show that the population is returning to their hometowns. This is a great achievement for us. So, of course, we will continue to respond not only to such needs but also to more support for development.

“Today we discussed one very important issue related to the houses damaged by the 2008 war in the village of Zardiaantkari. This is a very problematic and important issue for the population and also for us. By the decision of the commission we have planned how to find ways to move this issue forward more effectively”, - said Ketevan Tsikhelashvili.

The meeting was also attended by commission members and representatives of the municipalities along the dividing line.