WFP continues relief efforts in the Caucasus

United Nations World Food Programme
Press-Release

Tbilisi, 20 August 2008 – So far, WFP has reached 115,000 beneficiaries in Georgia, with more deliveries taking place today. IDPs have been provided with wheat flour, vegetable oil, beans, salt, sugar, HEB and baked bread.

An estimated 30,000 people from South Ossetia fled across the border to North Ossetia in the Russian Federation, among whom 22,800 are registered with the Russian Federal Migration Service. There is substantial to and fro movement of displaced populations between South and North Ossetia, thus it is difficult to establish the exact number of displaced persons from South Ossetia at present in the Northern Caucasus.

While most people have sought shelter with friends and relatives, some 5,000 are at present accommodated in 57 temporary accommodation facilities scattered throughout the Southern Federal District of Russia, the majority of them being women and children.

EMERCOM
The Russian Ministry for Emergencies (EMERCOM), which has been coordinating Russia’s aid effort for the displaced from South Ossetia, including the provision of food aid, has said it would welcome a contribution of food assistance from WFP.

EMERCOM said it would be prepared to distribute this food to the displaced in North Ossetia, inside the Russian Federation, or to returnees in South Ossetia.

The UN has not been able to access South Ossetia as yet to assess the needs.

Flash appeal
A flash appeal to outline humanitarian needs of conflict-affected population over the next six months was issued on Monday.

Food sector needs are estimated at US$15.8 million, with WFP needs estimated at US$12.9 million, with an additional US$1 million for logistics.

Food distributions
WFP was one of the first agencies to provide relief to the beleaguered town of Gori, first sending in food through the Government, then bringing in its own trucks on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

HEBs for 8,000 people was delivered in Gori and a further 8,700 10-day rations (wheat flour, oil, salt, sugar and HEBs) delivered to villages in the Ateni Gorge, south of Gori, where many Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have taken refuge.

In West Georgia, WFP has delivered rations to more than 27,000 people in Imereti, Guria, Adjara and Racha-Lechkumi regions and Khashuri district, supplied by the WFP sub-office in Poti.

Logistics and infrastructure
A WFP convoy carrying 220 metric tons of wheat flour arrived in Tbilisi from the Black Sea port of Poti on Tuesday. It is crucial that this humanitarian corridor remains open between the east and west of Georgia.

While damage in Gori appeared limited, at least two apartment blocks have been burnt out. There is also evidence of extensive looting, with all windows smashed in many buildings.

WFP organized three airlifts of HEB in the first week of the operation (two on 13 August, ECHO funded, 34 tons; one on 15 August, USAID funded, 58 tons. A fourth airlift of 59 tons of HEB from Brindisi arrived in Tbilisi on Tuesday).

The rail link between Black Sea port of Batumi and Tbilisi was severed on Saturday when bridge at Kaspi, east of Gori, was bombed. As a result, road remains the only option for bringing supplies from the Black Sea ports until the bridge is repaired.

On Saturday, a WFP pick-up sent with HEBs from Tbilisi to Kutaisi, traveling along secondary roads, was held up by bandits. Cash and flak jackets were stolen but staff and cargo were unharmed and the pick-up reached Kutaisi and delivered the HEBs without further problems.

However, the incident highlighted the risks of trying to find alternative routes between West and East Georgia to avoid Gori; also the roads are in a very poor condition.

Contacts:
Robin Lodge
WFP Georgia
+995 91 60 1044
robin.lodge@wfp.org