Canada to Provide Additional Assistance to Conflict-Affected People in Georgia

TORONTO, ONTARIO, Aug 27 (MARKET WIRE) --
The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation,
announced today that Canada is providing $2 million in additional funding
to assist those affected by the conflict in Georgia. These funds follow
the $1 million initially announced by Minister Oda on August 12thdue to
the outbreak of violence in South Ossetia.

"As humanitarian needs mount in Georgia, Canada is increasing its support
for those who have been displaced and are suffering in the aftermath of
this terrible conflict," said Minister Oda. "Working with the
international community, Canada continues to monitor the situation to
ensure its aid efforts are effectively meeting the needs of the civilian
population."

The outbreak of hostilities between Georgia and Russia over the Georgian
province of South Ossetia on August 8 led to the displacement of an
estimated 159,000 people from conflict zones in South Ossetia and other
parts of Georgia. The delivery of assistance to some conflict-affected
regions remains difficult due to the ongoing presence of military forces.

"We are pleased by initial reports that humanitarian access to affected
regions in Georgia is improving," said the Honourable David Emerson,
Minister of Foreign Affairs. "However, we reiterate our call to all
parties to immediately facilitate and guarantee full, safe and unhindered
access to all conflict areas, including South Ossetia, for all
humanitarian actors. Access is critical to provide urgent assistance to
populations in need and for humanitarian agencies to undertake essential
needs assessments. There can be no further delays."

Due to the sudden onset of the crisis, displaced communities were forced
to flee their homes quickly and are in grave need of food, water,
household items, sanitation facilities and medical care. Canada's
contributions will provide support to humanitarian agencies responding to
these needs, including $1 million to the United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees, $700,000 to UNICEF, $500,000 to the World Food Programme
and $300,000 to World Vision Canada. These funds will supplement the
$500,000 already provided to the International Committee of the Red
Cross, as part of the $1 million announced on 12 August.

BACKGROUNDER

Since the outbreak of hostilities between Georgia and Russia over the
provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia on 8 August, an estimated 159,000
people have been forced from their homes. Due in large part to the sudden
nature of the crisis, displaced populations lack essential
life-sustaining support including shelter, food, water and sanitation,
essential domestic items, protection, and access to health care.

In response to this crisis, Canada is providing a total of $3 million to
humanitarian agencies involved in the coordinated international response.
Today's announcement of an additional $2 million complements the up to $1
million announced by Minister Oda immediately following the crisis (12
August), and is being provided in response to recently completed needs
assessments indicating ongoing humanitarian needs in Georgia.

The needs resulting from the conflict in Georgia are principally those
related to forced displacement. The United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR) is the organization within the United Nations
responsible for the care and maintenance of refugees and displaced
people. Canada is providing $1 million to UNHCR to assist them in
providing shelter and essential household items to people affected by the
conflict.

Water and sanitation has been identified as another critical need in some
of the collective centres established to accommodate displaced people, a
large number of which are women and children. The United Nations
Children's Fund (UNICEF) is a trusted humanitarian partner for the
delivery of water and sanitation and primary health care services, with a
particular focus on vulnerable groups. UNICEF is receiving $700,000 from
the Government of Canada to address the water and sanitation and health
and nutrition needs of affected women and children.

World Vision has been active in Georgia for 14 years implementing
development programming and responding to humanitarian emergencies when
needed. The organization has played a leadership role in the
international humanitarian response in Georgia due to their established
relationships with beneficiaries affected by the conflict as well as the
local authorities responding. World Vision Canada will receive $300,000
to provide blankets, tents and essential household items to 5,300 people
affected by the conflict.

Minister Oda announced on 12 August that Canada was providing
$1,000,000.00 to assist people affected by the recent fighting in
Georgia. That assistance included $500,000 to the International Committee
of the Red Cross (ICRC) in response to their Appeal of the same day. The
ICRC is the most trusted international organization in the world in
conflict situations, with the proven ability to gain access to vulnerable
populations and provide life-saving assistance. In Georgia, the ICRC has
already secured access to the most affected communities and is providing
emergency medical care and restoring water and sanitation services.

The remaining funds will be channelled through The World Food Programme
(WFP), Canada's largest multilateral partner with the demonstrated
knowledge and capacity to provide food aid in response to humanitarian
crises. As a result of the conflict in Georgia, needs assessments
indicate that 146,000 people require emergency food aid over the short
term in order to maintain adequate food consumption and counter
nutritional deficiencies. Canada is providing $500,000 to WFP to help the
organization provide immediate food aid.

Contacts:
Office of the Minister of International Cooperation
Joanna Bailey
Press Secretary
819-953-6238

Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Media Relations Office
819-953-6534
media@acdi-cida.gc.ca

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