The Netherlands to send emergency aid to Georgia
The Government of Netherlands Press-Release
Minister for Development Cooperation Bert Koenders has earmarked €500,000 for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for emergency aid to the victims of the armed conflict in South Ossetia.
‘The events of the past few days in Georgia are a tragedy,’ said Mr Koenders. ‘The main thing now is to arrange an immediate ceasefire so the victims can be helped, and the parties can turn their attention to a political solution. During my time as an MP,’ Mr Koenders remarked, ‘I had occasion to travel to that region in the past several years, and I’ve been to both South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The area had been locked in a ‘frozen conflict’ for some time. This is why I appreciate how important it is for the parties to abide by their obligation to allow aid workers free passage to the affected areas. Our aid, in the form of our extra donation to the Red Cross, must reach the victims as soon as possible.’
The Dutch donation is meant for direct medical care, medicine, food, drinking water and other emergency relief supplies. The Red Cross will be able to use this money to tend to the wounded and restore the South Ossetian water supply. The Red Cross will also help displaced persons who have sought refuge outside South Ossetia.
