Caritas Internationalis to Help Georgia Refugees

(August 14, 1008) In the continuing hostilities between Georgia and Russia, the Caritas Internationalis has called for the creation of Humanitarian corridors in the affected areas and make available an initial sum of € 250,000. In the meantime, the National Caritas of Georgia and Russia are distributing food aid, hygiene products, and medical kits to the refugees numbering approximately 30,000. This was expressed in Netia, on an interview conducted by English Program, in English and Russian, with the director of Caritas Georgia. The national Caritas of Georgia and Russia, which are very active at this early stage of the conflict, have launched an initial distribution of food aid, essential goods, medical support, even for hospitals in the capital. However, the communications remain difficult and the borders of Georgia blocked. At the same time Caritas Internationalis has requested not to impede the work of operators with the people involved. Pope Benedict XVI has made repeated plea to cease immediately all military operations and to resume the path of negotiations. He urged both sides to "refrain, also in the name of a common Christian heritage, from further confrontations and violent retaliations that could degenerate into a wider conflict." In a separate comment, the Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, said the Vatican was concerned deeply about the explosion of violence in Georgia. He said the Caucasus region has proven itself to be an area where long-standing tensions can re-emerge even after years of relative calm.