Russia/Georgia conflict
We're providing shelter, clean water and medical supplies to families who have been forced to flee their homes, caught in the middle of the Russia/Georgia conflict.
Russia/Georgia conflict
Over 70,000 people have left their homes due to the unrest between Russia and Georgia. Children and their families, amongst this number, have lost everything they own and are in an increasingly desperate situation.
Some people who were forced to flee during the fighting are starting to return home, but their future remains uncertain as the situation continues to be volatile around South Ossetia and Abkhazia. However for most people it is still too early - either they have lost their homes or are too scared to return to the conflict areas.
For those caught in the conflict, access to essential everyday items is uncertain and difficult.
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."
Vincent continued, "Our biggest priority is to provide clean water and shelter to internally displaced people (IDP) through 11 IDP sites."
Eter Mazmaniani stands with her sons Nika, 4, and Giorgi, 10, (pictured left) in their destroyed home in Tortiza village, Gori district, Republic of Georgia.
When the fighting started Eter and her family fled their home to Georgia, where they stayed in a school turned refugee camp.
“For twelve days, we stayed in a school assigned to house refugees,” says Eter. “The teachers and the parents of the kids who usually study there were very kind to us. They brought us some food, comforted us, but it was still so terrible. There was not enough to eat, and many of us had to sleep on desks during the night, without even a blanket. So yesterday, we came back here.
"We have not started fixing up any of the damage because we are poised to run again at any moment. Five people have been kidnapped from a nearby village. I would rather die than be kidnapped! But where else can we go?”
What Save the Children is doing
As part of our response to the conflict we are distributing emergency relief supplies including food, medical and kitchen equipment. So far we have reached around 48,000 people in the capital of Georgia, Tibilisi, and the surrounding areas.
At least 1,700 families in displaced camps in the Didgori and Didube-Chughureti districts of Tbilisi will benefit from food distributions containing pasta, oil, beans, salt and sugar.
We will also be purchasing medicine for hospitals that are running short of supplies.
What you can do
Make a donation to our emergency appeal. Children and families in Georgia desperately need your help now.
