ICRC gets nod to access South Ossetia to aid civilians

GENEVA (Reuters) - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has received a green light from authorities to assist the civilian population in South Ossetia, but security concerns remain, an ICRC spokeswoman said on Thursday.

"Russian, South Ossetian and Georgian authorities in principle are ready to give us access but we're being told there are ongoing security concerns," ICRC spokeswoman Anna Nelson told Reuters. "We hope to be able to go in as soon as possible."

The neutral humanitarian agency has been seeking to bring vital aid supplies into the rebel Georgian region, where it says tens of thousands of civilians require help and protection after a week-long conflict.

Dominik Stillhart, ICRC deputy director of operations, told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday it was gearing up for a substantial operation in South Ossetia until at least 2009.

Between a third and a half of South Ossetia's population of 70,000 have fled the fighting, which caused widespread destruction of infrastructure, including medical as well as water and sanitation facilities, Stillhart said.

"We're not the only ones desperately trying to get access. In the end what counts is that somebody gets there," he added.

Insecurity still reigns in parts of Georgia, hampering aid efforts. The United Nations refugee agency said two staff near the town of Gori on Thursday were forced by armed men in unmarked uniforms to leave their cars and hand over the keys.

"The two later made it safely back to Tbilisi," the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said in a statement.

UNHCR spokesman Andrej Mahecic said: "It underscores how the situation is unclear, confusing and volatile. It is really difficult to have free and unhindered access to all areas."

The number of people displaced by the week-long conflict has risen to 115,000, according to the UNHCR, quoting new figures provided by the two governments.

They include some 68,000 displaced in Georgia proper -- "including most of the population of Gori" - and 15,000 who have fled south into Georgia from South Ossetia, it said.

Russian officials in North Ossetia indicate 30,000 people from South Ossetia remain in the Russian Federation, it said.

A UNHCR flight, its second this week, landed in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, carrying 32 tonnes of tents, blankets, jerry cans, and telecom equipment. "The relief items flown in over the past four days cover basic needs for up to 40,000 people."

Uprooted children, women and the sick were deemed the most vulnerable and medications for people suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease were urgently needed.

(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; editing by Jonathan Lynn and Robefrt Hart)