Tom Vincent, Country Director for Save the Children in Georgia, said: "We're concerned for the safety of thousands of children who have had to leave their homes and villages with their families. It is likely that some children will have been separated from their parents in the confusion and if so, these children will be particularly vulnerable and in need of support. Save the Children operates a drop-in centre for poor children in Gori, which is now inaccessible and largely abandoned due to the recent fighting. We are concerned about the well-being of these children and thousands more caught up in this conflict."
Vincent 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.
Vincent continued, "Our biggest priority is to provide clean water and shelter to internally displaced people (IDP) through 11 IDP sites. Growing numbers of 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."
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.
As part of its initial response to the conflict, Save the Children is seeking to reach some 3,000 war-affected and displaced families. We've bought food for 1,600 people for a 10-day period which will be distributed throughout the camps where displaced families are located. We will also be purchasing medicines for hospitals that are running short of supplies. Staff members are also putting together health, household and hygiene kits. 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.
"The scale of what we are dealing with is rapidly growing," Vincent said. "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."
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