Save the Children assists displaced children and families fleeing Georgia conflict

The Statement of Save the Children

Agency Urges Open Access to Worst-Affected Conflict Areas for Relief Efforts

Westport, Conn. (August 17, 2008) — More than a week after an ongoing conflict between Georgia and Russia escalated, displacing thousands of children and families from their homes and villages, Save the Children’s life-saving relief efforts continue.

The global humanitarian organization is deeply concerned for the needs of children and families in areas most affected by the conflict, which are still inaccessible to humanitarian organizations due to insecure conditions.

"Families are sheltering at kindergartens and children’s summer camps, where living conditions are extremely poor. There is no electricity, water, beds or food," said Tom Vincent, Save the Children’s Country Director in Georgia. "Under these conditions, children are highly vulnerable. Save the Children is moving quickly to meet their critical needs as the numbers of displaced continue to rise."

Close to 23,000 displaced people have registered with the Georgian government as of yesterday, while the United Nations estimates that more than 118,000 people have been forced to flee their homes because of the conflict. Save the Children is working with the Georgian Ministry of Refugees and Accommodation and other international non-governmental organizations to monitor and respond to the needs of those in centers and those who have newly arrived.

Providing Food and Medical Supplies

"Right now, our primary focus is on delivering life-saving relief," added Vincent. "Displaced families are telling us they urgently need food, basic hygiene products and cooking utensils."

To date, Save the Children has provided food packages of biscuits, rice, canned meats and fish, pasta and other items, for a 10-day period to over 1,200 people, including more than 300 children, in Lagodekhi, Rustavi,Sagarejo and Tbilisi. The agency is initially preparing to provide aid to 3,500 families affected by the crisis at 12 displaced person sites in Bolnisi, Borjomi, Gardabani, Lagodekhi, Rustavi and Sagarejo. In the past week, Save the Children also has procured and distributed medical supplies to hospitals and other medical institutions.

The agency is buying materials for and pre-positioning hygiene, basic health and household kits that will include items like soap, toothpaste, flashlights, blankets and cooking utensils. Save the Children expects to broaden its humanitarian response in the next few days after completing assessments to determine where families are and what they need most. The relief organization is working with local partners and volunteers to assemble and distribute relief items.

Open Access to Worst-Affected Areas for Relief Efforts

While Save the Children has reached more than a thousand displaced people, the needs of children and families in the worst-affected areas, including Gori and Tskhinvali, remain largely unknown. Humanitarian access to these conflict-affected areas has been limited due to insecure conditions.

An agreement on the cessation of violence brokered last week and recently signed by both Georgia and Russia, includes a provision that would allow humanitarian organizations open access for relief efforts.

"Due to security, there are entire communities in the worst-affected areas cut off from humanitarian aid," said Vincent. "It is critical that humanitarian organizations gain safe and unrestricted access to these areas so that we can assess and respond to the needs of children and their families."

Vincent added, "We urge the international community to ensure that the humanitarian corridors remain open so that aid can get through to children in the areas hardest hit by this crisis."

Background

Save the Children is coordinating its response with other relief agencies by providing child-focused expertise in emergency food relief, shelter, non-food relief, children’s protection and their health and nutrition.

Save the Children has worked in Georgia since 1993, implementing health, education and livelihood programs among the most vulnerable populations, including street children and displaced families. All of the agency’s offices, with the exception of Abkhazia, are open and operating.