European Caritas organisations help victims of conflict in Georgia
|
Brussels, 13 August 2008 - On the 8th of August, news agencies reported about fights between Russian and Georgian troops over the Georgian breakaway region of South Ossetia. Promptly following the start of hostilities, several European Caritas organisations took the initiative to allocate important resources to support the relief activities of Caritas Georgia and the local Caritas in North and South Ossetia.
Today’s reports announce that Russia and Georgia have agreed on a ceasefire succesfully mediated by the European Union. This agreement comes after an intensive five-day warfare that leaves a death toll of thousands and has uprooted nearly 100,000 from their homes, according to figures from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).The testimony of Caritas Georgia Programme Manager Liana Mkheidze depicts a dreadful situation of destruction and suffering. “Many people are coming to Tbilisi from Georgian villages around Tskinvali and Gori. Their houses have been damaged and they’re escaping the bombardments.” The UNHCR estimates that almost 56,000 have fled the city of Gori, just south of the boundary of South Ossetia, fearing more attacks from the Russian army.
During a reunion held on 11 August, Secours Catholique-Caritas France, Caritas International Germany, Caritas Spain and Caritas Italy decided to allocate an initial total amount of € 180,000 to support relief actions in the area.
Other European Caritas organisations carrying out fundraising campaigns are Caritas Czech, Caritas International Belgium, Caritas Luxemburg, Caritas Poland and Caritas Slovakia.
The Caritas Internationalis Confederation has so far succeeded in gathering some € 250,000 that will be distributed between Caritas Georgia and the local Caritas organisations in South and North Ossetia. The director of the local Caritas Vladikavkaz in North Ossetia, Sergey Basiev, said: “There are lots of refugees seeking shelter, they have nothing. We are trying to meet their urgentest needs.” |
An injured woman survived the Russian bombardment of the city of Gori on 9 August 2008. At least 5 people were killed during the attack. |
In-depth information about the conflictGeorgia: Abhkazia and S. Ossetia - Two regions struggle for autonomy
REUTERS/AlertNet.org
Caritas International Germany12.06.08 - Caritas Georgia and Caritas Vladikavkaz in North Ossetia receive emergency help [de]
Caritas Belgium International12.08.08 - Emergency help for civilian victims of Caucasus war [fr - nl]
Have your Say!
Caritas Europa
Our main work fields
| 
| RSS | Subscribe to our Newsletters | Sitemap | Disclaimer