Emergency Food Assistance in Georgia - World Food Programme 2008

The outbreak of hostilities between Georgia and Russia over the provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in August 2008 forced an estimated 159 000 people from their homes. Due in large part to the sudden nature of the crisis displaced populations lack essential life-sustaining support including shelter food water and sanitation services essential domestic items protection and access to health care. Initial needs assessments indicate that 146 000 people are in need of emergency food assistance. CIDA's contribution is supporting the World Food Programme (WFP) to help meet the immediate food assistance needs of affected populations in Georgia. Project activities also focus on promoting livelihoods and recovery among vulnerable and marginalized populations. The operation expects to reach an estimated 212 000 beneficiaries.