The United Nations and Red Cross have poured hundreds of tonnes of aid supplies into Georgia, but need better security conditions before deploying in South Ossetia, the two bodies said today.
Russian, South Ossetian and Georgian authorities have given the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) a green light to enter the rebel province, but it awaits firmer guarantees.
"We are ready to go at any time from both North Ossetia and from the Georgian capital of Tbilisi," ICRC spokeswoman Anna Nelson told a news briefing. "We will be operational as soon as security guarantees are in place and we're sure that it's safe."
The neutral humanitarian agency has flown 100 tonnes of aid into Georgia, with another 45 tonnes due later today. "We are now in full swing, distributing supplies and restoring access to water in shelter centres in and around Tbilisi," she said.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced alarm yesterday at the humanitarian situation and lawlessness in parts of Georgia, particularly South Ossetia and the Gori region which remain off limits amid reports of looting by irregular militias.
"For us, it is a question of access, access, access -- total and free -- to South Ossetia, around Gori and also to the ports," said Elisabeth Byrs, spokeswoman of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Moscow attacked Georgia last week after Tbilisi sent a force into South Ossetia to try to take back control over the pro-Russian region. Russian troops and armour remain deep inside Georgian territory despite a French-led ceasefire.
Highlighting the danger to aid workers, armed men in unmarked military uniforms near Gori forced two staff of the UN refugee agency to surrender their vehicles yesterday.
Antonio Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, will travel to Georgia and Russia next week to assess its relief operations in both countries, spokesman Ron Redmond said.
"Mr. Guterres will continue to press for the protection of the civilian population, especially the displaced, and for access by humanitarian agencies," he said.
More than 118,000 people have been uprooted by the week-long conflict, including 30,000 who crossed into Russia, he added.
UNHCR has flown more than 100 tonnes of aid into Georgia this week, enough for more than 50,000 people, Redmond said.
The UN's World Food Programme has also brought in flour, oil, sugar, beans and high-energy biscuits for the displaced.
The UN Children's Fund UNICEF said that some 170 makeshift shelters around Tbilisi needed to be equipped urgently with clean water and sanitation systems and electricity.
"UNICEF would like to get every displaced child back into school by the new school year. Creating that sense of normalcy is an important haven not only for the children but also for parents," said Gordon Alexander, head of its regional office.
Reuters