Relief continues in Georgian capital as violence displaces thousands
World Vision is providing both food and non-food items to the internally displaced persons (IDPs), as well as medical supplies to Tbilisi’s main, “Republican” hospital.
World Vision has helped more than 700 people since Saturday and will continue its efforts today, Monday 11 August.
“We’ve just come from a meeting with WFP and have developed a short-term plan to cover those IDPs we know of in terms of continued food assistance. We will also continue with non-food items delivery to locations we know of,” David Womble, National Director of World Vision Georgia, explained.
“We will mobilise supplies from outside the country as well, but of course all of this depends on a cessation of attacks on Georgia. We need all parties to observe an immediate ceasefire,” Womble added.
The number of IDPs in Georgia proper and South Ossetia is estimated to be between 10,000 and 20,000 according to the UNHCR.
I don’t need anything, but peace,” There are now 23 collection centres set up to receive people fleeing the violence, half of which are in the city itself, and the rest in towns and villages very near, for people seeking shelter.
World Vision is working with the WFP to meet the needs of IDPs in 11 of the centres.
World Vision is currently carrying out needs assesments in all the centres in Tbilisi, with a special focus on the needs of the children.
The extent of humanitarian suffering is described by World Vision staff as “heartbreaking and profoundly disturbing.”
Many of the IDPs are arriving to Tbilisi however they can – by foot or by car – and with nothing but what they are wearing.
“I don’t need anything, but peace,” shared an 11-year-old boy from the village of Ergneti in the Gori region.
“There were rockets in the sky and it was like lightning all the time,” he said. “I’m here with my 4-year old sister and mother. Daddy also arrived. When we were going from Ergneti to Gori to visit my aunt, they dropped a bomb on the way and the building block started to shake. We got scared and we immediately came to Tbilisi,” continued the boy, describing his family’s experience.
World Vision has helped more than 700 people since Saturday and will continue its efforts today, Monday 11 August.
“We’ve just come from a meeting with WFP and have developed a short-term plan to cover those IDPs we know of in terms of continued food assistance. We will also continue with non-food items delivery to locations we know of,” David Womble, National Director of World Vision Georgia, explained.
“We will mobilise supplies from outside the country as well, but of course all of this depends on a cessation of attacks on Georgia. We need all parties to observe an immediate ceasefire,” Womble added.
The number of IDPs in Georgia proper and South Ossetia is estimated to be between 10,000 and 20,000 according to the UNHCR.
I don’t need anything, but peace,” There are now 23 collection centres set up to receive people fleeing the violence, half of which are in the city itself, and the rest in towns and villages very near, for people seeking shelter.
World Vision is working with the WFP to meet the needs of IDPs in 11 of the centres.
World Vision is currently carrying out needs assesments in all the centres in Tbilisi, with a special focus on the needs of the children.
The extent of humanitarian suffering is described by World Vision staff as “heartbreaking and profoundly disturbing.”
Many of the IDPs are arriving to Tbilisi however they can – by foot or by car – and with nothing but what they are wearing.
“I don’t need anything, but peace,” shared an 11-year-old boy from the village of Ergneti in the Gori region.
“There were rockets in the sky and it was like lightning all the time,” he said. “I’m here with my 4-year old sister and mother. Daddy also arrived. When we were going from Ergneti to Gori to visit my aunt, they dropped a bomb on the way and the building block started to shake. We got scared and we immediately came to Tbilisi,” continued the boy, describing his family’s experience.
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