• Tens of thousands of people displaced
• Thousands of people will not be able to return to their homes

Oxfam is deeply concerned about the tens of thousands of ordinary people who have been displaced by the Georgian crisis since 7 August.

Although fighting between Georgia and Russia has subsided, the humanitarian situation remains precarious. Many affected civilians are still in need of food, water, shelter, sanitation supplies, medicines and other essential items.  

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• Situation overview
• Oxfam's response

An unimaginable situation

The exact scale of the humanitarian situation caused by the conflict in August, in and around the breakaway republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia is not yet known due to difficulties accessing all affected areas.  According to UN figures, about 140,000   people fled to Georgia’s capital Tbilisi to find shelter in collective centres, such as public schools, kindergartens and disused buildings.

Although an estimated 99, 500 people have been able to return to their homes, the Government of Georgia estimates that about 37,600 people will remain displaced throughout the winter. The Government plans to accommodate 21,000 people in durable housing by the end of the year. Since the beginning of December the Georgian Government has started to relocate people living in collective centres in Tbilisi to durable housing in new settlements.

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• Oxfam's response

Oxfam's response

Oxfam International and its partners have distributed food aid, blankets and other essential non-food items to displaced people residing in collective centres in and around Tbilisi. 

In pictures: Delivering aid

In November alone 14,751 individuals and 5,158 families received hygiene and water kits as part of Oxfam's ongoing distribution.

Oxfam has also repaired water systems in 28 collective centres where displaced people will remain throughout the winter.

In pictures: Working through partners

Oxfam is working with UNICEF to support 32,000 internally displaced   people with their immediate water and sanitation needs. This work includes the distribution of hygiene and water kits and the rehabilitation of water and sanitation facilities. Oxfam is also working with partners to deliver hygiene awareness messages, targeting children in particular. 

  Our goal is to continue to support people who are unable to return home and to provide them with their basic needs.

Simon Springett, Oxfam's Georgia humanitarian response manager

Update: 3 December 2008