UMCOR News Release

Conflict and Relief, UMCOR in Georgia

NEW YORK, August 12, 2008 - The United Methodist Committee on Relief in Georgia is serving as the lead coordinating agency for medicines and medical supplies being provided through US Government-sponsored emergency airlifts to the conflict zone. This South Caucasus nation has been engaged in conflict over the contested region of South Ossetia since August 7.

As a member of the United Nations Health and Nutrition Coordination group, UMCOR Georgia is heavily involved in organizing and distributing much-needed supplies. UMCOR is also providing health kits to displaced people as well as assisting local hospitals by distributing needed medical supplies housed in its Tbilisi warehouse.

UMCOR Projects Affected

South Ossetia, the area under attack, is a long-conflicted region along Georgia's border with Russia. While UMCOR has no current projects in South Ossetia, UMCOR's USDA program operates in the province of Shida Kartli along the southern border of South Ossetia.

George Gedevanishvili, head of office for UMCOR Georgia, is working with UMCOR staff to carefully balance the need to keep personnel safe while providing assistance. Some of UMCOR's operations near the conflict zone have been halted. UMCOR's work in areas unaffected by the violence continues.

"Our team was profoundly disturbed by the escalating crisis and the impact on the civilian population," said Thomas Dwyer, UMCOR's director of operations for its non-governmental organization, of the changeable environment in Georgia. "Responding to immediate needs in the first days of an emergency such as this requires a great deal of flexibility," explained Dwyer. UMCOR's staff in Georgia is actively engaged in these activities, which Dwyer described as responding to immediate localized needs as well as conducting comprehensive assessments to map out a broader response in the days ahead.

"Our current hope is for the cessation of hostilities to be permanent to allow for addressing the emergent civilian needs," Dwyer added.

UMCOR staff at the New York headquarters is in close contact with the office in Tbilisi to provide support and assistance as important decisions are made in response to the conflict.

About UMCOR in Georgia

UMCOR began humanitarian operations in Georgia in 1993 to address the basic health needs of women and children. The work of this office has grown since its inception to add agriculture and reconstruction to its work throughout the country.

How You Can Help

UMCOR provides emergency relief in many areas of the world. To find out more about UMCOR's ministries, please visit umcor.org. You can donate to any project by placing a contribution in the offering plate at a local United Methodist church; by sending a check to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068; or by calling 1-800-554-8583, where credit card donations are accepted. You can also give online at givetomission.org. UMCOR is exempt from tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States and qualifies for the maximum charitable contribution deduction by donors.

You can support UMCOR's work in Georgia, including its response to the conflict by giving to Georgia Emergency, UMCOR Advance #250305.

United Methodist Committee on Relief
General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church
Room 330, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115
Voice Phone: 1-212-870-3816; FAX: 1-212-870-3624
Email: umcor@gbgm-umc.org
Web: http://www.umcor.org

UMCOR. Be There. Be Hope.
UMCOR's mission is to alleviate human suffering-whether caused by war, conflict, or natural disaster-with open minds and hearts to all people.