Georgia-russia Release No List

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Contacts: Nasserie Carew (202-552-6561 or [email protected]) Tawana Jacobs (202-552-6534 or [email protected])

InterAction Members Respond to the Crisis in the Caucasus Washington, DC—The United Nations now estimates that up to 100,000 people have been displaced in the conflict between Georgia and Russia. According to Russian and Georgian officials, up to 30,000 refugees have fled northward into Russia since the Georgian offensive to retake control of the autonomous territory of South Ossetia began on August 8, 2008. It is estimated that 56,000 people have fled from the Gori region in Georgia toward the capital Tbilisi, approximately 80% of the population of the town. Twenty-two InterAction member organizations are responding to the humanitarian needs with emergency medical, food, shelter, water and hygiene supplies. The U.S. Embassy in Georgia issued a Disaster Declaration on Sunday, August 10, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced an initial $250,000 in emergency assistance for the people of Georgia. The Government of Georgia has requested humanitarian assistance, specifically medicines, medical supplies, emergency shelter items and food. An updated list of agencies responding will be available Thursday, August 14, at: www.interaction.org/caucasus InterAction has also developed guidelines on the most appropriate ways to help those affected by overseas disasters: http://www.interaction.org/disaster/guide_giving.html. ### InterAction is the largest alliance of U.S.-based international development and humanitarian nongovernmental organizations. Our 165 members operate in every developing country, working with local communities to overcome poverty and suffering by helping to improve their quality of life.