22 August 2008

After gaining access to the South Ossetian capital of Tskhinvali on 20 August, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is distributing food and providing medical support.

Tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes as a result of the conflict. The ICRC is expanding its operation in South Ossetia, while continuing to assist people in Tbilisi and other parts of Georgia, as well as North Ossetia in the Russian Federation.

South Ossetia

On the road from North Ossetia to South Ossetia, the ICRC team reported burnt-out cars and a feeling of desolation. In Tskhinvali itself, store shelves are said to be empty but the Russian government is providing assistance to people.

When the ICRC team arrived in South Ossetia it was greeted by the newly-appointed Prime Minister, Boris Chochiev. The ICRC has had an office in Tskhinvali for several years but when the fighting broke out two weeks ago, most of the staff were forced to flee. Local staff are now returning and the office is expected to be back up and running soon.

Georgia

Relief goods are being distributed and food, blankets, medicine and jerry cans have been provided to at least 7,000 people in Georgia. The ICRC has also restored access to clean water and improved sanitation conditions for an additional 3,700 people.

Isolated villages near Gori, where some people have been cut off from assistance, are now being reached. More and more people are being seen on the streets – mainly the elderly – asking for food and medicine.
The ICRC is also negotiating access to detainees and identifying human remains.

Russian Federation

The ICRC and the Russian Red Cross have assisted over 1,000 people in North Ossetia with hygiene kits and emergency assistance.

Restoring family links

People who are worried about relatives they left behind, especially in South Ossetia, have been contacting the ICRC. Many elderly people were unable to flee when the fighting began. Now that the ICRC has access to South Ossetia, the exchange of news between families in Georgia and their relatives in South Ossetia will begin in full force.

To support the ICRC's operations in the affected areas, the British Red Cross has contributed £500,000, from the Department for International Development.

Find out about contacting family members in Georgia

Donate to the ICRC's Caucasus Emergency Appeal

Make a donation to the British Red Cross Disaster Fund