The Russian president has ordered an end to the fighting in Georgia. "Now the work to help the IDPs will start at full strength," says Secretary General Elisabeth Rasmusson.
NRC is sending people in to the areas to assess how the organisation can provide immediate assistance to the displaced population. The work to provide emergency assistance has already begun.
"The IDPs lack almost all the essentials, from roof over their heads to food. Something as simple as bed sheets is in short supply at the collective centres," Rasmusson says.
Approximately 80 000 people have been forced to flee their homes after fighting broke out last week. 16 000 have fled the capital Tskhinvali, which is now completely destroyed, as well as other villages in South Ossetia. An estimated 1500 people have fled from Upper Kodori, the Georgian controlled part of Abkhazia. In addition, 40 000 people have fled the city of Gori, which is now completely empty. Most of the displaced are ethnic Georgians. According to Russian authorities, 22 000 people have fled from Georgia to Vladikavkaz in Russia.
In cooperation with UNHCR and Georgian authorities, NRC is working to get an overview of how many people have been displaced by the conflict and where they are located.
"So far, 9177 people have been registered at the collective centres in Tbilisi, but the real figure might be three times as high. We hope that as many as possible will be able to return to their homes soon," Rasmusson says.
There are currently 73 collective centres in Tbilisi. Many of the centres have poor hygienic conditions.
"When the cameras leave, the needs of the people will continue to be extensive. In the long term, NRC will focus on rebuilding homes and constructing temporary shelters for people who are unable to return to their homes," she says.
NRC has provided emergency assistance to refugees and IDPs in Georgia since 1994. Today it is the only Norwegian organisation with a permanent presence in the country.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili speaks to reporters in Tbilisi August 13,2008. Russian troops set up at least two checkpoints on the outskirts of the Georgian town of Gori, outside South Ossetia, ...
