Russia to assist Georgia in overcoming earthquake consequences

(Tbilisi, April 30, Civil.ge) - Next week Russian Ministry of Emergency intends to send humanitarian aid to Georgia, as the earthquake hit Tbilisi on April 25.

Russian Deputy Minister of Emergency Situation Yuri Varabiov told the reporters on April 30, that the Georgian government appealed to Russia with the assistance on April 29.

"Russia was ready to render such assistance earlier, but there was no request from the Georgian side", Russian media sources report quoting Varabiov.

Georgian President Shevardnadze issued a statement on April 29 urging international community for the assistance to overcome consequences of the destructive earthquake.

An earthquake hit Georgian capital late on April 25, which had a magnitude of more than six, killing 6 people.

Hundreds of apartments and other buildings were either completely destroyed or rendered uninhabitable. Thousands of people are left homeless.