- Humanitarian crisis possible on both sides of border if conflict



    escalates, aid agency warns



    - World Vision has small amount of pre-positioned emergency supplies in



    Georgia; more will be needed across the region if crisis worsens



    TBLISI, Georgia, Aug. 8 /EMWNews/ -- As fierce fighting

continues today in Georgia's breakaway South Ossetia region, international

aid agency World Vision is calling for the international community to help

broker an immediate ceasefire.



    "Thousands of civilians are in harm's way right now, including women

and children," warned David Womble, World Vision's national director for

Georgia.



    "The U.N. Security Council must make this matter a priority, and help

broker an immediate ceasefire between the parties. If fighting continues,

thousands of families will be forced to flee, and we could be faced with a

humanitarian crisis."



    To avoid any further civilian casualties and suffering, World Vision is

calling for the following:



    -- The United Nations Security Council must work to broker an immediate

ceasefire.



    -- All combatants must abide by international law and protect

civilians, particularly children and women, who are the most vulnerable.



    -- Civilians fleeing the conflict zone to the north and the south must

be afforded safe passage.



    -- Humanitarian corridors should be set up immediately so aid workers

can safely access civilians and provide life-saving assistance.



    -- In particular, UN agencies must be allowed access into the conflict

zone to help coordinate the humanitarian response and maintain the

necessary security communications to allow for humanitarian operations.



    -- The United Nations, regional actors and key international

stakeholders should advance the mediation of a long-term political solution

that will end the conflict and address the humanitarian conditions

resulting from the fighting.



    Meanwhile, Tskhinvali, the main city in South Ossetia, has reportedly

been cut off by fighting and remains inaccessible.



    "We're hearing reports that the entire water supply to Tskhinvali has

been shut off. Potable water is the number-one humanitarian need right now

for the city and surrounding areas," said Womble.



    World Vision has a small amount of pre-positioned emergency supplies in

Georgia and is poised to assist people fleeing south. The agency also has

programs in the Russian Federation's North Ossetia region, which borders

the conflict zone, and is preparing for an influx of displaced people to

the north as well.



    The Christian aid agency has worked in Georgia since 1994, focusing on

community development and the needs of children in difficult circumstances.

Current programs include microfinance for poor entrepreneurs, support for

street children and children with disabilities, food for work, HIV and AIDS

prevention and assistance for returning migrant workers. World Vision does

not have current programs in South Ossetia but assists more than 15,000

children in Abkhazia, another breakaway region of Georgia. The agency's 155

staff in Georgia are accounted for and safe at the present time.



    World Vision also has worked in the North Caucasus region of the

Russian Federation since 1995, including peacebuilding and economic

recovery projects in North Ossetia.



    To speak with World Vision staff in Georgia or for more information,

please contact Rachel Wolff at 253.394.2214 or [email protected].



    World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to

working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach

their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. We

serve all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For

more information, please visit worldvision.org/press.