Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia

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USAID will allocate 1 million dollars to farmers affected by natural disaster

The Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, USAID project "Zrda Activity in Georgia" and Shida Kartli Regional Governor's Administration. The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Levan Davitashvili, Chief of the Party in USAID project "Zrda activity in Georgia" Bryan King and Shida Kartli State Representative Giorgi Khojevanishvili signed the Memorandum, according to which, the residents affected by natural disaster living in the villages near the occupation dividing line will receive a financial support.
"I would like to express my gratitude to the American government for their instant support. We have a long-standing successful cooperation. Emergency situation in Shida Kartli was caused by the strong hailstorm, due to which the harvest of the great number of residents was completely ruined. The support of residents living in the villages near the dividing line is one of the top priorities  for us.
The US government provided a support to us; Within the frame of the USAID project "Zrda activity in Georgia", the residents of Gori and Kareli will receive a financial assistance and  get an access to basic water supplies. They will be able to carry out agricultural activities. This is a quick response project created by the Georgian and American sides, under which the targeted assistance will be provided to our people " said Levan Davitashvili, Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture.
"I am glad to have an opportunity to help Georgian farmers get compensation for crop damage. Our support budget amounts to 1 million dollars. Within the assistance, farmers will be able to purchase the equipment and carry out their agricultural activities. This is an example of best cooperation between our countries "said Peter Wiebler, USAID Mission Director in Georgia
The State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality, Ketevan Tsikhelashvil  thanked the USAID Mission Leader for providing critical assistance to Georgia and noted, that support in the emergency situations clearly demonstrates friendly relations between our countries.
Shida Kartli State Representative Giorgi Khojevanishvili thanked Peter Wibler for support and immediate response.

Furthermore, according to the latest data, in the end of May of the current year, the number of farmers affected by hailstorm in Shida Kartli villages exceeded 7 thousand. The damaged area of perennial and annual crops comprises 10 000 hectares.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture has a long lasting and successful cooperation with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). 
The USAID-funded project’’ ‘’Zrda activity in Georgia’’ is a five year program aiming to promote the sustainable economic development in 81 communities of five regions of Georgia. To achieve the abovementioned, the project will implement the following initiatives: development of micro, small and medium enterprises; Promotion of agricultural revenue increase; Establishment of market relations between entrepreneurs and buyers;
Promoting local economic development through establishment of business relations. The project includes ethnic minorities, as well as communities living nearby administrative border areas. The implementation of the project will lead to increase jobs in target communities and raise revenues, as a result of which economic condition of  local population will be further strengthened.