GEORGIA: MOIA UPDATES IDP HOUSING STATUS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TBILISI 002302 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/CARC E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/10/2018 TAGS: PHUM PGOV GG SUBJECT: GEORGIA: MOIA UPDATES IDP HOUSING STATUS REF: A. EMAIL FROM DAVIS-KIRCHNER TO CARC ¶B. TBILISI 2226 ¶C. TBILISI 2271 Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOHN F. TEFFT FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) Begin Summary: On December 9, Minister of Internal Affairs (MOIA) Vano Merabishvili briefed members of the diplomatic community that internally displaced ersons (IDP) from South Ossetia and the Upper Kodori in Abkhazia would have homes or will receive compensation to repair existing homes within the next two weeks. To date, a total of 5,366 houses, each valued at $20,000 USD, have been built for August war IDPs. Merabishvili disseminated a spreadsheet with the locations and associated costs of the housing construction (Ref A, emailed to EUR/CARC). Thus far, Georgia has spent $129 million GEL on building new homes, and anticipates spending an additional $100 million GEL on fixing existing homes for families in the buffer zone. The government is spending $20-30 million GEL on water projects, to include well digging and irrigation, as some communities have had their water supply interrupted by de facto Ossetian authorities. The figures do not include the amounts for compensation, but this information should be available in upcoming weeks. Merabishvili said that the regional MPs and local government representatives decided which families would occupy the new homes. Currently, the government has a plan to address the concerns of "older" IDPs from the '92-'93 war with Abkhazia, but as of yet there are no concrete details beyond attempting to privatize some of the current living quarters, mainly located in former government hotels and sanitariums, for members of this IDP group. This would give them ownership rights and the possibility of selling this property in the future. Merabishvili praised USAID's winter seed project, and estimated that $30 million GEL would be realized on the sale, which he said was more revenue than the total grape harvest brought in from Kakheti (Ref B). End Summary. The Options and Methodology ¶2. (C) Merabishvili said that the GOG has offered IDPs one of three choices: a house, a flat or compensation ($10,000 USD). He figured the 5,366 homes would accommodate 30,000 people, but this would still not cover all IDPs. He estimated that 28,000 refugees living outside the conflict zone would remain, and up to a maximum of 5,000 from the August war would still have to reside in communal housing. (Embassy note: This figure is higher than the number usually mentioned by international organizations of 30,000 total permanent new IDPs. End note.) Merabishvili said MPs and local government representatives had decided which families would occupy the new homes. IDPs were offered housing based on where they were displaced from and the proximity of the housing to the displaced location. For example, those who were displaced from Akhalgori will be offered homes in Mtskheta-Tianeti, and those who were displaced from Nuli will be offered homes in Karaleti (Gori Region). Some IDPs had decided to stay in Gori region, and some took the compensation and went elsewhere. Merabishvili cited Kvemo Kartli as a popular destination for relocating IDPs from farming communities since they find the soil in Kvemo Kartli rich and conducive to cultivation. He added that Turkish and German development funds anticipate building 300 and 500 homes respectively, which will help as well. What Happens After The Move-In? ¶3. (C) Merabishvili said that the local municipalities would be responsible for the maintenance of the homes after Qwould be responsible for the maintenance of the homes after move-in. There are plans for upgrades to drains and sewage systems, but it will be the end of the year before these figures are known. There was still no decision if IDPS would be given the titles to the homes, or if this would remain in government hands. He said that no one ministry had been appointed to be overall contact for the housing once the move-ins occur. Merabishvili admitted that all the IDPS were not necessarily happy at their choices, citing as an example, the lack of uniformity of quality of the infrastructure, which differs from regions to region. (Comment: EUMM monitors have visited some of the new residents who live in new housing in Khurvaleti, Gori District, who said that the houses were of such poor quality that they were considering taking a Russian passport and returning to South Ossetia. A combined State/USAID/DOD assessment team visiting another new settlement near Gori said that inhabitants complained about wet cement walls that made their children sick and that the settlements had not been planned according to international standards, i.e. distance from homes to sewage facilities. End Comment.) The original thought had been to give those from farming communities a larger plot of land (1 hectare) TBILISI 00002302 002 OF 002 and situate them in homes farther from the city, and move others into developments which are closer to the city, but would have smaller plots of land (1/2 hectare). Some IDPs had tried to "game" the system by signing up for housing and compensation, so now MOIA is reviewing its rolls. The Forgotten IDPS from 92-93 ¶4. (C) Merabishvili was quick to point out that infrastructure projects for the new houses would also benefit those who had been living in the region already, citing as an example, the improvements to the water supply systems. With regards to "older" IDPs he said the GoG has not forgotten them. There is a plan being discussed, but there are no additional details at this time. The Ambassador raised concerns over the security conditions in Zugdidi, pointing out attempts to isolate Georgians by closing bridges and forcing passportization, which could result in 3,000 new IDPs from Gali in Zugdidi by spring (Ref C.) Next Steps ¶5. (C) Comment: The Georgian government and Minister Merabishvili moved quickly to implement this complex project and realized the goal of getting IDPs into permanent housing in record time. The tougher issues will come once Merabishvili steps back fromthe active stage of construction, as the Georgian Government tries to fill the void to nail down the larger answers of electricity, heat, sewage, public transportation, education and jobs. Local government seems ill-equipped for the task. Insiders at the Ministry of Refugees and Accommodation told Emboff that MOIA was chosen for the task, well outside its operational sphere, because "the job would get done on time and funds dedicated to the project wouldn't magically disappear." Government sources estimate the number of IDPs from earlier times who still need assistance to number approximately 100,000, who are now spread throughout Georgia. How to address their needs is definitely on the minds of Georgian officials, and early feelers indicate that the international donor community, especially the EU, is interested in the long term issue as well. End comment. TEFFT