GEORGIA CONFLICT
Emergency Alert - Updated August 14, 2008
You can help
our local partners
provide needed assistance.
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Background:
On August 8, 2008, fighting erupted in the small East European country of Georgia, in the Caucasus Mountains. The United Nations estimates that 2,000 people were killed and nearly 100,000 civilians displaced since the crisis began.
South Ossetia, a province within Georgian borders with a sizeable population of Russian speakers, has claimed a semi-independent status for the past 16 years. On August 8, Georgia deployed military forces to regain control of the province. In response, Russian troops advanced into South Ossetia and bombed targets in several of Georgia’s largest cities.
This conflict has caused people to flee in several directions—north into the Russian territory of North Ossetia and south into Georgia while some remain displaced within South Ossetia. Many refugees have found shelter within churches and in public buildings and have received a modest amount of food aid. The most urgent needs for those who are displaced are food, shelter, clean water and hygiene items.
| LWR AND PARTNERS RESPOND TO THE CRISIS |
Lutheran World Relief is responding to the needs of people displaced by this crisis through our membership in global aid alliance Action by Churches Together (ACT) International. Immediate aid will include food rations and hygiene supplies to affected peoples in Georgia and Southern Russia.
The best way to assist people caught in an emergency is to give cash so that our partner staff on the ground can be most effective.
To contribute online, click below. You will be given the opportunity to choose “LWR-Georgia/Caucasus Crisis” for your contribution.
Your gift will be used to respond to the “LWR-Georgia/Caucasus Crisis” until needs there are met. After that, further gifts will be used to help LWR respond where the need is greatest. Please also consider making an unrestricted donation which will enable LWR to respond quickly to the next emergency.
During regular business hours, Monday through Friday, you may also call 1-800-LWR-LWR-2, or mail a check or money order to:
Lutheran World Relief -
LWR-Georgia/Caucasus Crisis
P.O. Box 17061
Baltimore, MD 21298-9832
USA
MEDIA CONTACT:
Emily Sollie, 410-230-2802 (office), 443-220-3269 (cell), esollie@lwr.org
Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility. LWR is a member of Action by Churches Together.
