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Save the Children Issues Urgent Appeal for Children Caught in Georgia Conflict
Initial Emergency Response Focuses on Thousands of Internally Displaced Children and Families
Westport, Conn. (August 12, 2008) — Save the Children has issued an urgent appeal for $1 million to meet the critical needs of thousands of children and their families forced to flee their homes as a result of the ongoing conflict between Georgia and Russia.
"We're concerned for the safety of thousands of children who have had to leave their homes and villages with their families," said Tom Vincent, Country Director for Save the Children in Georgia.
"Save the Children operates a drop-in center for low-income children in Gori, which is now inaccessible and largely abandoned due to the recent fighting. The well-being of these children, who may be separated from their parents, is at stake, as well as the lives of thousands more caught up in this conflict."
Vincent also noted that currently there is very limited international access to much of the western part of Georgia or to South Ossetia. Large numbers of people have headed south, away from the fighting, to Rustavi where the Government is converting schools into collection points and shelters.
Providing Clean Water and Shelter
"Our biggest priority," Vincent said, "is to provide clean water and shelter to internally displaced people (IDP) through 11 IDP sites. Many people are heading to Rustavi and other places where the Government has started to convert schools into shelters for displaced families. Yet these facilities have limited capacity and access to clean water."
Vincent added, "The scale of what we are dealing with is rapidly growing. People left their homes with little or nothing and are arriving at camps in increasing numbers. Children are incredibly vulnerable right now, and our task ahead is to ensure that they have somewhere safe where they can get food, water and medical care."
Initial 10-Day Emergency Response
As part of its initial response, Save the Children is seeking to reach some 3,000 war-affected and displaced families. The charity has bought food for 1,600 people for a 10-day period. It will be distributed throughout the camps where displaced families are located. The charity will also be purchasing medicines for hospitals that are running short of supplies. Staff members also are putting together health, household and hygiene kits.
Save the Children plans to distribute food commodities at 11 shelters created for internally displaced persons (IDPs). The agency is purchasing and warehousing food commodities in Tbilisi to distribute to 6 IDP sites in the Rustavi district; 1 IDP site in Lagodeshi; 1 IDP site in Sagarejo; 1 IDP site in Gardabani; 1 IDP site in Bolnisi; and 1 IDP site in the Borjomi district (for a total 11 IDP sites.)
Background
As one of the largest NGOs working in Georgia, Save the Children is participating in meetings called by U.N. officials and other NGOs, including Care and World Vision, to plan a coordinated response to the crisis. Save the Children is providing child-focused expertise in emergency food relief, shelter, non-food relief, children's protection and their health and nutrition.
For over a decade, Save the Children has focused on the needs of Georgia's most vulnerable populations, including street children and displaced families, as well as assisting communities in meeting basic needs in health, education, and livelihoods.
