Fighting has calmed in and around the breakaway region of South Ossetia, and the warring parties have reached a ceasefire agreement. The short, violent conflict has caused a lot of people from Georgia, South Ossetia and the Northern Caucasus region of Russia to flee their homes.
In the last three days in Georgia, MSF assessed camps for these displaced persons in and around the city of Tbilisi, where around 20 settlements have been established, and in the city of Gori. In the 10 camps that MSF has visited so far, hundreds of people are living in public buildings, lacking water and basic sanitation. MSF is providing basic relief supplies and medical care through mobile teams in eight of these camps, serving over 3,200 displaced people and we will continue to visit the other camps in the region.
As of 20 August, MSF is still unable to enter South Ossetia, the area of conflict, in order to conduct an independent assessment of people’s needs and provide medical and humanitarian aid if necessary. Our teams are currently negotiating secure access to the region with the authorities.
Thousands of refugees from South Ossetia have crossed the border with Russia fleeing violence, and have been accommodated by local authorities in the regions bordering South Ossetia. MSF has visited several refugee camps set up in public buildings, such as schools and medical facilities, in the regions of North Ossetia and Kabardino-Balkaria. The refugees’ immediate needs were being met by local authorities and strong community support.