Georgia: UNICEF immediate needs - Response to the needs of children and women affected by the conflict in and around South Ossetia

August 15, 2008 – (Relief Web) On August 7, an armed conflict erupted in South Ossetia, Georgia, affecting large numbers of people in and around the region. The military actions have caused damage and destruction in the South Ossetia, especially in the capital Tskhinvali, and caused large population displacements in and around South Ossetia on both sides of the Russian and Georgian border.

Women and children represent a majority of those caught in the conflict and seeking safety. As of 15 August 2008, According to statistics provided by local officials to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees,(UNHCR), around 115,000 people have been displaced.

According to initial estimates, nearly 40% of the displaced in Georgia are children under 16 years of age. Some children have been separated from their families. There are pregnant women and women with newly born children amongst the displaced. Many internally displaced persons (IDPs) are staying with friends and families, however a significant proportion, particularly from Georgian villages in South Ossetia have been accommodated in temporary accommodation facilities, mainly in the capital Tbilisi.

An estimated 45,000 people fled Gori, which was damaged by the conflict, towards Tbilisi. The facilities accommodating IDPs in Tbilisi and surrounding areas are reported to be in a poor condition. Many of those affected were already very poor. They have few assets to support themselves in this displaced situation and will therefore rely on government and international assistance for their survival and wellbeing.

On the Russian side and according to federal authorities, 30,000 people have crossed the border, seeking refuge in the Russian Federation, of which 80 per cent are women and children. Many of them have been temporarily accommodated in collection centres and with families in North Ossetia and other southern regions of Russia. The Russian Emergency Response Ministry, EMERCOM, has been supporting the emergency needs of the displaced in 51 centres. Though displaced families are safe from the conflict, they are living in difficult conditions.

To date humanitarian access to South Ossetia is not available to UN agencies. The assessment of the situation and extent of damage has not been possible.

From:http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/KKAA-7HL29S?OpenDocument