First of all, the Public Defender of Georgia expresses his sorrow over the casualty caused by natural disasters in Guria and extends his condolences to the family members of the deceased.

Numerous reports have been circulating about the isolation of villages in the Guria region from the outside world and the finding of citizens, including persons with disabilities, older persons and children, in extremely difficult situations (power outages, depletion of food supplies, risks of collapse/destruction of residential buildings), as well as about injured citizens.

The Public Defender emphasizes that both central and local authorities, based on legislation, should carry out appropriate complex measures with joint efforts and by using appropriate resources, including in order to protect human life, health, environment, and property during emergencies caused by natural factors.

The severe problems caused by heavy snowfall in Guria and other regions have once again revealed the ineffectiveness of preventive and relief measures in relation to natural disasters, which is primarily related to the management of emergency situations, identification of threats and appropriate risk management plans taking into account the risks characteristic of the municipalities. This is directly related to the interests of protecting human life, health, living in a safe environment and property rights, and the Public Defender of Georgia continues to supervise their protection within the framework of his mandate.