09 August 2016, 09:06

Georgian villagers, who fled from the conflict in August 2008, still cannot return to their houses. Meanwhile, not all of them can find jobs at the place of their current residence. The above was told by them to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent at the anniversary of the beginning of the 2008 war.

On August 8, 2008, combat actions broke out between Georgia and South Ossetia. Russia intervened in the conflict. Military operations lasted five days. On August 26, the Russian President signed a decree on the Russia's recognition of independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. On August 28, 2008, the Georgian Parliament voted for the severance of diplomatic relations with Russia.

40 kilometres from Tbilisi, the village of Tserovani was built in 2008. It is the largest village to settle internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the war. Tserovani accommodates about 8000 people, mostly IDPs from the Akhalgori (Leningori) District and from Tamarasheni and Tskhinvali.

Before the war, Nana Chkareuli, a resident of the village of Tserovani, led an NGO in Akhalgori, which worked with local young people. At present, she leads the NGO "For Better Future", which main beneficiaries are internally displaced persons. The activists help them to integrate into the society and to learn new skills. Due to different programs, more than 15 young people from Tserovani were admitted to European universities.

According to Irma, a resident of the village of Nikozi, although the village has suffered in the hostilities and is in the border area, the villagers have not given any benefits.

About 1500 families live in the village of Shindisi, which is well-known by the fact that 17 Georgian soldiers were killed there. The village has erected a monument in their honour. On August 7, it was attended by locals and residents of Gori, who came there to pay tribute to their memory.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.