Local church helps Georgia's displaced

A woman waits for food aid in South Ossetia, Georgia [REUTERS/Denis Sinyakov courtesy of www.alernet.org]

CAFOD is keeping in touch with Catholic church agencies who are responding to the humanitarian needs of people displaced by the conflict in Georgia.

Conflict between Georgia and Russia over breakaway South Ossetia has killed thousands of people and tens of thousands have been driven from their homes.

Pauline Taylor-McKeown, Head of CAFOD's International Programmes said,

"Other members of Caritas, the Catholic network of aid agencies, have long-term programmes on the ground in Georgia and know the people and the local church.

"Consequently they are better able to respond to this crisis. At the moment initial assessments have been made and the immediate needs of people are being met".

Caritas is responding in the region with food, household items, and support to those people caught up in the fighting.

Caritas International is supporting calls for the ceasefire to be maintained and the start of negotiations to bring a peaceful solution to the conflict.

CAFOD will be keeping in touch with our Caritas partners to see if they need our financial support and will monitor the situation carefully over the coming days and weeks.

Please keep the people of Georgia in your prayers.

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