Preliminary Report of Monitoring Assistance to

Individuals Left Homeless in the aftermath of

June 13-14 Natural Disaster

by

the International Society

for Fair Elections and Democracy

July 23, 2015

Tbilisi

Monitoring Methodology

International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) surveyed individuals

(families) left homeless by the natural disaster and evaluated effectiveness of

assistance provided to them by the state. ISFEDs interviewers visited locations of

families left homeless by the natural disaster, retrieved from the web portal launched

the City Hall1. The survey was conducted on July 9-13.

On the first day of the survey (9 July 2015), ISFEDs interviewers visited 31 out of

133 families provided on the web portal (the interviewers could not survey rest of the

families for either of the following reasons: a) City Halls website did not provide

their address or provided incomplete address; b) families had already been transferred

from their initial locations (i.e. address provided on the website) to unknown locations

for temporary placement; c) all members of the family were absent from their location

at the time of interviewers visit. Most of the families surveyed are large - families of

five on average, between the ages of several months to 76 years.

Notably, the number of families provided by the website has increased from 133 to

200 since July 9, 2015. We contacted the City Halls hotline but they declined to

comment and instead, suggested us to inquire by sending a formal letter requesting

access to public information.

Applicable Regulations

On July 5, 2015, Tbilisi Municipality Sakrebulo adopted a resolution #17-66, for the

adoption of regulations for provision of housing and other type of financial assistance

to individuals (families) affected by the natural disaster of June 13-14, and

relinquishment of real estate property by these individuals. The resolution recognizes

two categories of families affected by the disaster: category 1, which includes families

that lost their homes, and category 2, which includes families whose homes were

damaged but can be restored. In addition to regulations for provision of housing the

normative act also contains regulations for provision of financial assistance for

purchase of household items, based on the size of individual families.

Regulations for provision of housing families affected by the disaster can choose

one of the following two options:

1) States compensation based on size of a family: a) compensation for 45 sq.m

housing for a family of 1 or 2; b) for 65 sq.m housing for a family of 3 or 4; c) for 90

sq.m for a family of 5 or 6; d) or for 110 sq.m housing for a family of 7 or more.

2) Expropriation of lost/damaged housing by the state by making cash payment

(based on estimation of property value by L.Samkharauli National Forensic Bureau).

1 help.tbilisi.gov.ge

Financial assistance for purchasing household items a) in the amount of 8000 laris for

a family of one or two, b) 9 400 laris for a family of 3 or four c) 10 500 laris for a

family of 7 or more.

Types of Disaster Damage

Majority of families interviewed by ISFED were left homeless by the disaster or their

homes are no longer fit to live in due to the disaster damage. In addition, homes of

three of the families were damaged but can be restored.

During the monitoring, ISFED found one family that could not prove existence of

their house because they were officially registered as owners of only a land without a

house.

Majority of the families affected by the disaster stated that their former homes had

been visited and appraised by experts from L.Samkharaulo National Forensic Bureau

but they had not yet been offered with a concrete price.

Hotels and Hotel Conditions

All those affected by the disaster and interviewed by ISFED in their hotels have stated

that they are satisfied with hotel housing conditions. However, two individuals placed

in Hotel Texas2 have expressed concerns about the state of kitchen in the hotel. They

also said that the state provided them with all necessary items (household items,

clothes, bedding, objects of personal hygiene, items for children under the age of 5).

Conditions at Rented Temporary Alternative Housing and Terms of Rent

Agreement

The state started offering to families living in hotels moving into rented housings until

they are provided with permanent housing solution. Some declined the offer for

following reasons:

1. Terms of agreement: rent agreement prepared by local self-government bodies

is between one member of a family affected by the disaster and a renter. The

former is listed as a rent payer per agreement, and s/he will receive the rent

money on his account on a monthly basis from the administrative agency

concerned, based on a verbal agreement. The agreement makes no mention of

local authorities City Hall/Gamgeoba, which makes both renter and a

member of affected family reluctant to sign the agreement.

2 67 Beliashvili Str., Dighmis Masivi

2. Affected families are concerned that if they accept the offer of a rented

housing, the process of providing them with permanent housing solutions will

be delayed.

Informing Affected Individuals about Regulations for Compensating the

Damage

Not all of individuals affected by the disaster are informed about regulations for

compensating the damage. Sources of the information are representatives of local

authorities, as well as TV and mass media. As the state has not yet made its offer

about value of properties of the affected population, the respondents were reluctant to

state whether they are satisfied or not with the compensation issues, while families

who have already been offered a certain value after the appraisal of their property,

have stated that the offered value is too low. According to these families, the amount

offered by the state is far less than actual market value of their property.

Providing Affected Individuals with Medical Services

All affected individuals interviewed by ISFED stated that the state provided them

with adequate medical services. Further, they also received adequate psychological

counseling, as needed. However, a few affected individuals stated that they did not

receive all of the necessary medication, due to the bureaucratic delays. Here they

mean specific medication or expensive medication. The City Hall makes decisions

about provision of such medication under para.1, Article 100 the General

Administrative Code of Georgia, within the term of one month, as prescribed by the

law. During his meeting with ISFEDs interviewers on July 13, 2015, affected

individual A.B. stated that it had been two weeks since he filed a formal request for

the medication but he has not yet received any. Two individuals placed in Hotel

Garden and one individual living at Bakhtrioni Str. have expressed same concerns.

Conclusions and Recommendations

Positive Trends

All affected individuals (families) received temporary housing (hotel or

apartment) in a timely manner, and are provided with adequate housing

conditions;

Affected individuals (families) were provided by adequate medical services in

a timely manner;

Affected individuals (families) were provided with food, household items,

personal hygiene objects, clothes, etc.;

A web portal was launched for helping the affected individuals, which

provides information about the affected families and their needs. Any

individual can use the web portal to help victims of the flood;

Relevant local self-government officials are meeting with affected population

in several locations on a regular basis. Respondents were especially grateful

for help provided by Didube-Chughureti Gamgeoba on everyday basis;

Affected families are free to choose between two options for compensation.

Challenges and Recommendations

Provision that would clearly reflect the states obligation to pay rent should be

included in rent agreements;

Local authorities should effectively communicate with affected families about

aims and procedures for moving them into rented housings;

Representatives of local authorities should personally inform affected

individuals about terms and procedures for compensating;

Affected individuals must be provided with necessary medication in a timely

manner.