Westport, Conn. (August 17, 2008) — More than a week after an ongoing conflict between Georgia and Russia escalated displacing thousands
of children and families from their homes and villages, Save the Children’s life-saving relief efforts continue. The global humanitarian organization is deeply concerned for the needs of
children and families in areas most affected by the conflict, which are still inaccessible to humanitarian organizations due to insecure conditions.
"Families are sheltering at
kindergartens and children’s summer camps, where living conditions are extremely poor. There is no electricity, water, beds or food,” said Tom Vincent, Save the Children’s
Country Director in Georgia. “Under these conditions, children are highly vulnerable. Save the Children is moving quickly to meet their critical needs as the numbers of displaced
continue to rise.”
Close to 23,000 displaced people have registered with the Georgian government as of yesterday, while the United Nations estimates that more than 118,000 people have
been forced to flee their homes because of the conflict. Save the Children is working with the Georgian Ministry of Refugees and Accommodation and other international non-governmental
organizations to monitor and respond to the needs of those in centers and those who have newly arrived.
Providing Food and Medical Supplies
“Right now, our primary focus is on
delivering life-saving relief,” added Vincent. “Displaced families are telling us they urgently need food, basic hygiene products and cooking utensils.”
To date, Save the
Children has reached more than 1,300 people in Rustavi with food packages of biscuits, rice, canned meats and fish, pasta and other items, for a 10-day period. The agency is initially preparing
to provide aid to 3,500 families affected by the crisis at 12 displaced person sties in Rustavi, Lagodeshi, Sagarejo, Gardabani, Bolnisi and Borjomi. In the past week, Save the Children also has
procured and distributed medical supplies to hospitals and other medical institutions.
The agency is buying materials for and pre-positioning hygiene, basic health and household
kits that will include items like soap, toothpaste, flashlights, blankets and cooking utensils. Save the Children expects to broaden its humanitarian response in the next few days after
completing assessments to determine where families are and what they need most. The relief organization is working with local partners and volunteers to assemble and distribute relief
items.
Open Access to Worst-Affected Areas for Relief Efforts
While Save the Children has reached more than a thousand displaced people, the needs of
children and families in the worst affected areas, including Gori and Tskhinvali, remain largely unknown. Humanitarian access to these conflict-affected areas has been limited due to insecure
conditions.
An agreement on the cessation of violence brokered last week and recently signed by both Georgia and Russia, includes a provision that would allow humanitarian
organizations open access for relief efforts.
"Due to security, there are entire communities in the worst-affected areas cut off from humanitarian aid,” said
Vincent. “It is critical that humanitarian organizations gain safe and unrestricted access to these areas so that we can assess and respond to the needs of children and their families.”
Vincent added, “We urge the international community to ensure that the humanitarian corridors remain open so that aid can get through to children in the areas hardest hit by this
crisis.”
Background
Save the Children worldwide launched an urgent appeal last week seeking $1 million in donations for its relief efforts in Georgia
that will provide for children’s immediate life-saving needs, as well as address their need for routine and the chance to play and express themselves. The global humanitarian organization
is coordinating its response with other relief agencies by providing child-focused expertise in emergency food relief, shelter, non-food relief, children's protection and their health and
nutrition.
Save the Children has worked in Georgia since 1993, implementing health, education and livelihood programs among the most vulnerable populations, including street children and
displaced families. All of the agency’s offices, with the exception of Abkhazia, are open and operating.
Major-General Vyacheslav Borisov, Russian commander in the Gori region, escorts Georgian refugees near Gori August 17, 2008. Russian announced to the West on Sunday it would begin withdrawing forces from Georgia ...
