Georgia Conflict: Humanitarian needs remain great as peace plan under discussion
World Vision offices in both Georgia and the Russian Federation are working on proportionate responses to great humanitarian need of those affected by conflict in Georgia and South Ossetia.
In Georgia, World Vision continues to work in coordination with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the World Food Programme, providing food, non-food items, and health supplies to many collection centers in the capital, as well as to others nearby. However, demand is vastly outpacing supply.
“The humanitarian needs are growing exponentially, faster than the combined agencies can keep up,” David Womble, National Director of World Vision Georgia, said.
The humanitarian needs are growing exponentially, faster than the combined agencies can keep up “World Vision has been asked by the UNHCR, WFP, and the Government of Georgia to scale up our response as quickly as possible to meet the most immediate food, non-food, and health needs of IDPs. As of 1 a.m. August 13, the official list of IDPs registered was 10,000. At a food coordination meeting at 10 a.m., new figures of 19,000 were released. And still, this does not account for Western Georgia. We continue to look at the tip of the iceberg.”
In less than 24 hours, the number of collection centers in Tbilisi and the surrounding areas jumped from 51 to 95. The number of officially registered displaced people jumped nearly 50%, from 7,000 to 10,000, yet so many more remain unregistered, unsheltered and unfed.
World Vision Russian Federation participated in interagency visit including INGOs, UN agencies, and ECHO representative on Tuesday to assess the needs of those displaced in North Ossetia. The immediate needs of food, shelter, water and sanitation, health care, and basic non-food items are being met for the short term.
“WV is beginning its response in North Ossetia in partnership with the local and international community to ensure the assistance complements those efforts already underway. We will be focusing our assistance on the children so that they can begin to heal and cope with the traumas they are experiencing as a result of this conflict,” said Siobhan Kimmerle, World Vision Russian Federation National Director.
According to Russian officials, more than 30,000 people are reported to have fled the conflict zone and entered North Ossettia and over 150 public buildings were providing temporary shelter and the first tent camp was being set up to host 500 persons last Monday.
With the start of the school year two weeks away, we are concerned and World Vision Russian Federation is considering how best to assist children ““With the start of the school year two weeks away, we are concerned and World Vision Russian Federation is considering how best to assist children and their families prepare to start the academic year in communities where they have been given temporary shelter.”
World Vision Russian Federation is also providing medical supplies to the wounded through partners that are to be delivered on Thursday.
"As we see those displaced, we are reminded that the face of devastation and fear has no ethnic nor political demarcation; our humanitarian response must likewise seek to provide an appropriate response for those affected by this violence,” added Kimmerle.
In Georgia, World Vision continues to work in coordination with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the World Food Programme, providing food, non-food items, and health supplies to many collection centers in the capital, as well as to others nearby. However, demand is vastly outpacing supply.
“The humanitarian needs are growing exponentially, faster than the combined agencies can keep up,” David Womble, National Director of World Vision Georgia, said.
The humanitarian needs are growing exponentially, faster than the combined agencies can keep up “World Vision has been asked by the UNHCR, WFP, and the Government of Georgia to scale up our response as quickly as possible to meet the most immediate food, non-food, and health needs of IDPs. As of 1 a.m. August 13, the official list of IDPs registered was 10,000. At a food coordination meeting at 10 a.m., new figures of 19,000 were released. And still, this does not account for Western Georgia. We continue to look at the tip of the iceberg.”
In less than 24 hours, the number of collection centers in Tbilisi and the surrounding areas jumped from 51 to 95. The number of officially registered displaced people jumped nearly 50%, from 7,000 to 10,000, yet so many more remain unregistered, unsheltered and unfed.
World Vision Russian Federation participated in interagency visit including INGOs, UN agencies, and ECHO representative on Tuesday to assess the needs of those displaced in North Ossetia. The immediate needs of food, shelter, water and sanitation, health care, and basic non-food items are being met for the short term.
“WV is beginning its response in North Ossetia in partnership with the local and international community to ensure the assistance complements those efforts already underway. We will be focusing our assistance on the children so that they can begin to heal and cope with the traumas they are experiencing as a result of this conflict,” said Siobhan Kimmerle, World Vision Russian Federation National Director.
According to Russian officials, more than 30,000 people are reported to have fled the conflict zone and entered North Ossettia and over 150 public buildings were providing temporary shelter and the first tent camp was being set up to host 500 persons last Monday.
With the start of the school year two weeks away, we are concerned and World Vision Russian Federation is considering how best to assist children ““With the start of the school year two weeks away, we are concerned and World Vision Russian Federation is considering how best to assist children and their families prepare to start the academic year in communities where they have been given temporary shelter.”
World Vision Russian Federation is also providing medical supplies to the wounded through partners that are to be delivered on Thursday.
"As we see those displaced, we are reminded that the face of devastation and fear has no ethnic nor political demarcation; our humanitarian response must likewise seek to provide an appropriate response for those affected by this violence,” added Kimmerle.
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