OneWorld.net (U.S.)

OneWorld.net note: Some of the thousands of South Ossetian civilians fleeing the ongoing conflict between Georgia and Russia have begun receiving shelter and supplies, but rising numbers of refugees may soon overwhelm aid groups' ability to respond, reports an international refugee agency.

• "The breakup of the Soviet Union provided the opportunity for two regions within Georgia to flex their own muscles. Conflicts between the Georgian Army and armed groups of separatists in Abkhazia and South Ossetia have resulted in deaths of thousands of people and displaced more than 300,000 civilians," writes OneWorld UK. Although a fragile peace was established in 1992, Russia has continued to support Georgia's separatist regions and tensions between the two countries have remained high.

• Despite Georgia's announcement yesterday that it would withdraw its troops from South Ossetia, Russia has continued attacks and airstrikes on Georgia, including the bombing of civilian villages and an airport. Georgian officials hoped the withdrawal would signal a move toward a cease-fire agreement, but the continued military assault has cemented the Georgian government's fears that Russia's goal is to "annihilate Georgia's statehood," National Security Council Secretary Alexander Lomaia said to the news agency, EurasiaNet.

• The capital of South Ossetia, Tskinvali, and the nearby Georgian town, Gori, have born the brunt of the violence, with hundreds injured or displaced. Hospitals in these towns have been overwhelmed with patients and many families do not have access to clean water, reports Save the Children, an aid organization preparing to provide supplies and funds to assist those affected by the conflict.

International Rescue Committee Begins Aiding Civilians Fleeing Violence in Georgia

From: International Rescue Committee

Vladikavkaz, North Ossetia 10 Aug 2008 - The International Rescue Committee is launching relief efforts for South Ossetian civilians fleeing escalating violence between Russian and Georgian forces.

Evacuated South Ossetian mother comforts her son outside a temporary shelter in neighboring North Ossetia.
Photo: Thomas Hill

Thousands of terrified residents of Georgia's embattled breakaway region of South Ossetia are reported to be on the move - leaving behind destroyed homes and trapped or missing relatives. Most are seeking safety in schools and other public buildings in neighboring North Ossetia, which is part of Russia.

Earlier today, the IRC's team in Vladikavkaz distributed bedding, soap, shampoo, cleaning supplies and kitchenware at two schools sheltering 120 children, mothers and teachers who were evacuated from South Ossetia last week as tensions were mounting.

"Most of their immediate needs are being met by local authorities and communities so we're filling in gaps at this stage," says the IRC's Caucasus director, Thomas Hill. "But we fear conditions will decline as more refugees arrive and overwhelm existing accommodations."

Hill said one school that he visited expects to receive 50 more new arrivals in the coming days even though they are already at capacity. "The school will have no choice but to put displaced families in a gymnasium where there are no toilets, showers or clean drinking water," Hill says.

Another looming concern is that the next school term in North Ossetia begins September 1. "Everyone currently seeking refuge in a school will need to be relocated," says Hill. "Authorities are considering tent camps, but with cold weather on the horizon, that can only be a temporary solution."

Hill says those who made it to North Ossetia are more preoccupied with finding loved ones they left behind than anything else. "I talked to several extremely distressed women today who have received calls from family members still trapped in rubble or cut off by fighting and begging to be rescued," says Hill. "I would say most are hopeful that they will be reunited with their families, but others fear their loved ones are lost."

Active in the Caucasus since 1994, the IRC maintains a staff of 85 aid workers in the region, some based out of North Ossetia, who carry out infrastructure and economic recovery programs. The team is closely monitoring the crisis in South Ossetia, will continue distributing needed relief items, and is ready to expand aid efforts throughout the region.

The IRC participated in a needs assessment Saturday with UN agencies and other international and Russian aid organizations in North Ossetia. The groups are now meeting regularly to coordinate an effective humanitarian response. An IRC team will travel to Georgia early next week to survey needs there.

To read more about refugee relief efforts in Georgia, visit the International Rescue Committee.