Abkhazia Gov’t Chair outlines plans to expand support for internally displaced people

Chair of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia Giorgi Jincharadze has said the administration has "very ambitious plans" to further address the needs of people displaced from the Russian-occupied Georgian region of Abkhazia, highlighting housing improvements, financial assistance and expanded social programmes.

Speaking at a meeting with young people displaced from Abkhazia in Anaklia, where he presented the Government's annual report, Jincharadze said social support remains the administration's foremost priority.

He said renovation and rehabilitation works were carried out at around 200 collective accommodation centres for internally displaced people over the past year, with about ₾4 million ($1.52mln) allocated for the programme. He said the initiative would continue in the coming years.

He also said financial assistance had been provided to nearly 5,000 people, while hundreds of families had received improved housing conditions. More than 700 beneficiaries were provided with temporary accommodation during the reporting period, he added.

Jincharadze said the Abkhazia Government's budget for next year includes plans to expand programmes aimed at meeting the needs of internally displaced people.

He added that the chairman's reserve fund is being directed entirely towards social programmes.

Jincharadze also highlighted support for residents of Potskhoetseri village, saying all internally displaced families living there had their utility bills covered this year.

He said assistance for war veterans and their families remains one of the administration's key priorities. He noted that a new programme has been introduced to improve veterans' psychosocial support and physical rehabilitation.