Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) - “The massacre of the innocents a few days ago in northern Ossezia shook the world. But not to be forgotten either are more than 3,000 women and children in southern Ossezia, Georgia, who fled violence taking refuge in other parts of the country. Only immediate interventions with initiatives for peace and social development will prevent the region from becoming a seedbed of unrest difficult to settle and dangerous for all. We need ideas and means to ensure that the whole of the Caucus region does not turn into a powder keg”. This appeal, coming from Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, papal nuncio in Georgia, was re-launched by Caritas Italy, which recalls the poverty in Georgia (southern Ossezia). Beslan is in northern Ossezia, which is part of the Russia Federation. “These new displaced persons come in addition to hundreds of thousands of people who have been homeless and unemployed for years. The situation is the result of instability in the region, an area where terrorism could find fertile breeding grounds,” the papal nuncio warned.
Since the onset of the tragedy in the school at Beslan in northern Ossezia, Russia, Caritas has been present with volunteers including two psychologists. They are working round the clock and have already supplied medical equipment and medicines to the two hospitals in Vladikavkaz, where the children injured Beslan were taken for treatment. Now Caritas is thinking how it can help in other fields. Middle term interventions underway include: medical assistance for long term patients at the hospitals in Vladikavkaz; food supplies for families who have lost children and have been unable to work to earn money; psychological counselling for families in Beslan and at the hospitals; arranging places for children to stay for rehabilitation treatment.
In southern Ossezia (Georgia) despite much effort, the local authorities are unable to meet the needs of the people, including many children. Fighting between the army and separatists caused people to abandon their homes. In this mountainous region the nights are extremely cold and the people have nothing to protect themselves from the low temperatures. In mid August Caritas Georgia sent two trucks of food supplies, clothing, medical supplies and school kits to the area. But the food was sufficient only for two weeks and the people are now again in dire need.
Padre Witold Szulczynski Director of Caritas Georgia and Archbishop Gugerotti have appealed to Caritas Internationalis to collect 150.000 Euro needed for urgent work. «We appeal to consciences- the Archbishop concludes - to offer immediate support to those working to break the spiral of violence». (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 8/9/2004; Righe: 30; Parole 445)
