On August 15, World Vision, in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Georgian Ministry of Finance, sent 10-days worth of food supplies to 1,000 people in the city of Gori.

Gori was ravaged by bombings when the conflict began and has since been a no-go zone. The World Vision/WFP shipment was the first humanitarian aid convoy to reach the region after almost a week without any outside assistance.

“We hope access will go smoothly, so we can increase the amount of urgent items we deliver to this conflict area,” said David Womble, national director of World Vision Georgia. World Vision is supplying essential food such as canned meat, pasta, vegetable oil and iodized salt, along with hygiene kits and blankets.

Helping Displaced People
The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimates that over 100,000 people have been displaced in Georgia so far. The majority of displaced people have congregated in Tbilisi, the Georgian Capital.

The government of Georgia has set up 663 collection centres in schools, sports facilities and hotels to receive people fleeing the violence and seeking shelter. 

To date World Vision has provided food items to over 9,000 displaced people and non-food items to over to 3,700 people in collection centres. In addition, the organization plans to help over 48,000 displaced persons.

Immediate Concerns
World Vision’s biggest concern right now is to support the growing number of displaced people within Georgia and those in North Ossetia.

The displaced are in urgent need of food supplies and non-food items, as well as medical assistance, psychosocial support and shelter.

World Vision in Georgia
World Vision has worked in Georgia since 1994, focusing on community development and the needs of children. Current programs include microfinance programs, support for street children and children with disabilities, food-for-work initiatives, HIV and AIDS prevention and assistance for returning migrant workers.

World Vision does not currently have programs in South Ossetia but assists more than 15,000 children in Abkhazia, another breakaway region in northwestern Georgia.

The organization’s regular operations in Georgia, as well as its projects in Abkhazia, have been suspended for the time being, as all efforts are now focused on the humanitarian relief effort.

World Vision also has worked in the North Caucasus region of the Russian Federation since 1995, including peace building and economic recovery projects in North Ossetia.

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

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