UN seeks $58 mn from donors to aid victims of Georgian war

NEW YORK: The United Nations and its partners have sought USD 58.6 million from international donors to help nearly 130,000 people, affected by the recent Georgian war, sustain the crisis.

"I hope the international community will show itself fully ready, capable and willing to help provide critically-needed assistance to the people of Georgia," Catherine Bragg, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, said.

Bragg's statement comes in the backdrop of several humanitarian appeals going underfunded despite repeated reminders.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says donors have already pledged USD 23 million towards the appeal, which will support the aid efforts of nine UN agencies and 16 non-government and international organizations.

The conflict, which began over a week ago when Georgia attacked the breakaway region of South Ossetia and in which Russian forces also became involved, displaced close to 118,000 people, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The OCHA says humanitarian response has been challenging due to limited access. Those affected have also gathered at numerous sites making it difficult for both the Georgian Government and relief agencies to locate them and identify their needs.

There have also been reports of property destruction and looting of assets by civilians traumatized by the conflict.