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12 August 2008
GENEVA – The UN refugee agency says it is mounting an emergency airlift of relief supplies to civilians caught in the conflict in Georgia.
The body says the first flight will carry 20,000 blankets and other aid items from the United Arab Emirates. UNHCR says the plane will arrive in Georgia on Tuesday.
A second flight will leave from Denmark on Wednesday.
The UNHCR said in a statement Monday the two flights will bring in enough supplies to care for 30,000 people in Russia and Georgia.
The statement says around USD 2 million (CHF 2.18 million) in emergency funds have been set aside for the initial Georgian operation.
High Commissioner Antonio Guterres says the agency is still trying to gain safe passage to reach people in distress.
[AP / Expatica]