On July 2, pro-government expert Amiran Salukvadze published a video on Facebook showing a bridge in Lechkhumi built with the support of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) under the NEO (New Economic Opportunities) project. In the video, no water appears to be flowing under the bridge, and the author captions it, “What does this bridge connect?” In the comments, Facebook users claim the bridge is an example of American “money laundering.”
The video of the USAID-funded bridge in Lechkhumi is being circulated manipulatively on social media. The bridge is located near the village of Makhashi, and open-source footage shows that a riverbed and water can be seen beneath it. The Municipality of Tsageri confirmed that natural disasters in the area cause problems and that the bridge was necessary.
The author states the video was filmed in Tsageri Municipality. A banner visible in the footage notes that the bridge was funded by USAID. The banner also displays the year (2014) and the specific program under which funding was provided. The name of the program is NEO – New Economic Opportunities.
Myth Detector verified the video’s location using geolocation tools. The bridge seen in the video is located in the village of Makhashi. The structure is visible on Google Maps and Google Earth.
Additionally, both tools show photos uploaded in November 2021 depicting the bridge and the USAID banner.
These photos also show a small amount of water flowing beneath the bridge, and the riverbed is visible behind it.
Myth Detector contacted the Tsageri Municipality. A representative of the infrastructure department told us that during the spring floods, water flows over the road, creating problems for pedestrians, which is why the bridge was built.
We also verified the information in Facebook groups created by residents of Lechkhumi (“Business Lechkhumi;” “Group of Lechkhumians”). In both groups, local residents confirm that the bridge was built to cross a stream and that during bad weather, the water level increases.
There are two additional similarbridges near the villages of Makhashi and Lasuriashi. In all three cases, signs of water and a riverbed are visible beneath the bridges.
Thus, the bridge built near Makhashi under the “New Economic Opportunities” initiative is not functionless. Open-source photos confirm that water flows in the area. Furthermore, during natural disasters, the water level rises, making the bridge necessary for movement.
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