Crisis in Georgia
Fighting between Russia and Georgia in and around the breakaway republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia has caused mass displacement of ordinary people.
- Tens of thousands of people displaced
- Scale of conflict not yet clear
Oxfam is deeply concerned about the tens of thousands of ordinary people who have been displaced by the Georgian crisis since 7 August. Although fighting between Georgia and Russia has subsided, the humanitarian situation remains precarious. Many affected civilians need food, water, shelter, sanitation supplies, medicines and other essential items.
Oxfam staff are blogging about the situation on the ground
Oxfam International and its partner NGOs on the ground are distributing food aid, blankets and other essential non-food items to displaced people residing in collective centres in and around Tbilisi. We have reached over 10,000 people so far and our response continues.
Emergency staff are continuing to assess people’s needs in the rural areas around the town of Gori near South Ossetia, where the majority of the fighting occurred. Access to these areas however, is still limited.
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An unimaginable situation
The exact scale of the humanitarian situation caused by this month’s conflict in and around the breakaway republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia is not yet known due to difficulties accessing all affected areas. According to UN figures, over 90,000 fled to Georgia’s capital Tbilisi to find shelter in Georgian collective centres, such as public schools, kindergartens and disused buildings.
Where possible, people are starting to return to their homes. However, some people have either lost their homes completely, or are unable to return because of the presence of the Russian troops. Oxfam is working to assess these people’s needs where we have access and we are planning our response.
I hid in the basement of my home for days. I finally ran from my basement on the 8th of August, we needed food and to get out of there. I cannot believe I am still alive.
Mzia, 75, who had to flee her home
As reported in the UN Georgia Crisis Flash Appeal last month, some 30,000 South Ossetian civilians fled to their northern neighbour, North Ossetia, in Russia and are being assisted by Russia’s emergencies ministry (EMERCOM). They are also reported to be assisting another 30,000 displaced people within South Ossetia. However, the humanitarian situation in South Ossetia has been difficult to verify because aid agencies have faced difficulties accessing the region.
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Oxfam's response
Oxfam International and its partner NGOs on the ground have distributed food aid, blankets and other essential non-food items to displaced people residing in collective centres in and around Tbilisi.
One partner is also providing medical assistance by mobile clinic to the ill and injured in displaced centres. Last week Oxfam delivered $20,000 of life-saving drugs and equipment to the Institute of Surgery in Tbilisi, where many of those injured during the conflict are being treated.
In pictures: Working through partners
We have conducted a rapid assessment of the water and sanitation needs, as well as the status of the village Primary Health Care Centres, in villages north of Gori where we are now planning our response. As the humanitarian needs in areas of North and South Ossetia become clearer, and if assistance were requested, Oxfam would be in a position to consider appropriate ways of helping affected civilians in those areas.
Our goal is to provide assistance for people who are in need of aid, in as many regions as possible, as quickly as possible. Right now, that means expanding our response beyond Tbilisi and into some of the more remote areas where much of the fighting took place.
Simon Springett, Oxfam's Georgia humanitarian response manager
Update: 5 September 2008
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