Some of the 102 IDPs who have gathered at the 71 kindergarten centre in Tbilisi await distribution  from CARE © CARE / Gela Bedianashvili, 2008.

Tbilisi, Georgia (August 16, 2008) – CARE International in the Caucasus has suspended for today the distribution of the immediate humanitarian assistance to IDPs located in Khashuri due to a poor security situation and the presence of military and militia in the area. The existing situation prevents us from both assessment and distribution of emergency assistance to IDP’s in western part of the country.

More than 4,000 IDPs are already placed in Khashuri district and the figure is increasing each hour. More than 73,000 people are already registered in estimated over 600 locations in Tbilisi and regions. The figure is expected to increase and reach perhaps 100,000.

Once again, CARE calls on all parties to allow humanitarian organizations safe access to people in need of assistance. Such limitations and restrictions for aid organizations will definitely result in the humanitarian crisis which will be hard to restore afterwards.

A day after the crisis began, CARE started distributions and up to now, has reached 5,000 internally displaced persons with aid, including supplementary food, vegetables, non-food items, hygiene kits, drinking water, child care and nutrition, and bedding up to now.

Meanwhile, the distribution process is continued in Tbilisi and eastern part of Georgia.

For more information, please contact CARE office in Tbilisi:
74a, I. Chavchavadze ave. Tbilisi, 0162, Georgia.
Tel: (995 32) 291941
Fax: (995 32) 294307

To donate, please give through your nearest CARE member by clicking here.