IOM is deploying additional staff in the western city of Kutaisi
and in the Black Sea port of Batumi to further assess the needs of
recently internally displaced families and to assist in the
on-going distribution of basic humanitarian assistance.

Initial evaluations carried out in the west of the country by
IOM in cooperation with local authorities and partner NGOs show
that as of 22 August, there were some 15,000 internally displaced
persons (IDPs) in Batumi. However, numbers are said to have
decreased over the past few days as many of the displaced are
heading back towards the central town of Gori and surrounding
villages.

An additional 3,500 IDPs from the remote Kodori Gorge are
currently sheltering in Kutaisi, with some 1,500 living in
collective centres.  

In both towns, there is a pressing need for more hygiene kits,
blankets, mattresses, pillows, bed sheets and water containers.

In Tbilisi, IOM staff with the assistance of local volunteers
continue to provide humanitarian assistance to vulnerable displaced
families who are currently sheltering in hundreds of small
collective centres set up in public schools, nurseries and building
sites, many with limited space, inadequate or no
facilities.  

On 25 August, IOM distributed additional family, child and baby
kits containing mattresses, gas cookers, bed sheets, towels, soap,
toothpaste, washing powder and basin, toilet paper, diapers and
baby food to an additional 500 conflict-affected individuals who
have fled Gori and rural areas around Tskhinvali in South
Ossetia.

According to the Georgian authorities, some IDPs are leaving
Tbilisi to return to the towns of Gori, Khashuri, Kareli and Kaspi,
to the west of the capital.   

"Whether returns to conflict-affected areas will pick up or not
remains to be seen," says IOM's Marc Hulst. "For the time being,
the immediate needs of the IDPs remain considerable as many say
their homes have been damaged or destroyed. We therefore urgently
need funding to continue assisting the most vulnerable displaced
families."     

As part of last week's UN Flash Appeal, IOM requires an initial
USD 1.9 million to provide emergency logistical support, shelter
and non-food assistance over the next six months to tens of
thousands of IDPs in Tbilisi and in other parts of Georgia.

"Once we're over the initial emergency phase, IOM will address
the immediate rehabilitation needs, beginning with the provision of
transitional shelter and see what can be done to bolster peace in
shattered communities," adds IOM's Marc Hulst.

For more information, please contact:

Khatuna Didbaridze

IOM Georgia

Tel: + 995 32 25 22 16

E-mail: "mailto:kdidbaridze@iom.ge">kdidbaridze@iom.ge