After the collapse of the Soviet Union the Caucasus witnessed the
outbreak of ethnic conflicts. The Georgian-Abkhazian conflict
counts to the longest unresolved ones in the region. After the war
in 1992/3 over 200.000 people were displaced due to ethnic
cleansing. Some found shelter in the outskirts of Georgia’s capital
Tbilisi. Former student houses were used as makeshift homes. The
Gori war of 2008 has been an effect of the South Ossetian conflict.
It left more than 50 000 people displaced. But as the conflicts are
fought on the ground, the aftermath of long ago conflicts are often
forgotten. The Abkhazian conflict remains unresolved after 20
years, the refugees are still unable to return to their occupied
hometowns. The makeshift homes remain their refuge always
threatened by government eviction. The refugees of Gori on the
other hand have a fresh image in the media. Their cause was
adressed, by building a settlement. Both are refugees and unable to
return home. Thus, their situation cannot differ more. Time
destroys awareness.
