United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Acting Mission Director Roy Plucknett was joined by Minister of Refugees Davit Darakhvelidze, Minister of Infrastructure David Narmania, Municipal Development Fund Executive Director Elguja Khorkrishvili, representatives from the Tskhaltubo local government and Internally Displaced People (IDP) families to open the first apartment building renovated under USAID’s Municipal Infrastructure and IDP Housing Rehabilitation Project on Tuesday, September 17 in Tskhaltubo. 

The completely remodeled building includes 17 apartments, interior and exterior common areas, a playground for children, and is accessible to people with disabilities.  More than 50 IDPs will benefit from the new, comfortable homes provided by the project. 

USAID’s Municipal Infrastructure and IDP Housing Rehabilitation Project is one of the ways the U.S. Government is supporting improved living conditions and infrastructure for Georgian families affected by the 2008 conflict.  The project is implemented through the Government of Georgia’s Municipal Development Fund and will upgrade IDPs’ housing and municipal infrastructure in targeted communities affected by the conflict.  Approximately 15,000 IDPs will directly benefit from the housing upgrades that include apartment renovations and water & sanitation upgrades to cottage settlements.