UNICEF DELIVERS ASSISTANCE THROUGHOUT GORITBILISI – SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 – Tomorrow UNICEF will distribute more vital assistance to women and children displaced in Gori. While assistance has been ongoing, this new distribution will target families living in 22 collective centres located outside of Gori’s main shelters for internally displaced. The distribution will take place Wednesday afternoon and is a collaboration between UNICEF and UNHCR. “The supplies we are distributing are vital for IDP families. They will help people who have lost so much begin to recover from the harsh experiences of recent weeks, ” said Giovanna Barberis, UNICEF’s Representative in Georgia. Nearly 4,500 displaced Georgians are living in these centers around Gori, sheltered mostly in kindergartens and public schools. Many are people displaced from the conflict in South Ossetia. UNICEF RESPONSE Altogether about 500 kilograms of assistance will be distributed, including water purification tablets, jerry-cans, soap and recreation kits for children. These supplies will offer children and families important life sustaining supplies. The recreation kits will help children play with other children and hence to slowly return to normal life. For its part, UNHCR will be distributing mattresses and blankets. Since the conflict began, UNICEF has provided humanitarian assistance to more than 46,000 children and their families. In Gori, 1,400 people living in the IDP tented camp have already received 350 family kits consisting of jerry-cans, soap and water buckets. UNICEF estimates that out of the 128,700 people displaced within Georgia, 38,160 are children under the age of 18, and 5,700 are under two years of age.
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For further information, please contact: Maya Kurtsikidze, Communication Officer, UNICEF Georgia
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