Eurovangelism - Euronews

Refugees flee fighting in Georgia

On the 7th August increasing tension between the government of Georgia and the breakaway province of South Ossetia exploded into violence with both sides claiming they had been attacked. There was fierce fighting around the South Ossetian capital, Tskhinvali, and Georgian war planes were reported to be in action, bombing the town and surrounding areas. During the following days Russia intervened and sent tanks into South Ossetia to protect civilians and Russian peacekeepers in the region. The Russian army quickly advanced, driving the Georgian forces back.
Caught in the middle of the two forces were the residents of South Ossetia with thousands fleeing the bombing and fighting: "I don't know what to do! We have nothing in South Ossetia now. Our house was totally destroyed. It happened on the 9th of August and I with my two little children were walking all the night long and in 10 hours we came to the other village Djava. We were taken to Vladikavkaz later. I don't know where are my husband and other relatives. I have nothing with me." - Marina Gasieva, 30 years old.
	"All night long we were staying in the basement (cellar). It was very small and there were 12 of us. It was very hot and stifling and we terribly wanted to drink. But it was much more terrible to go out. The soldiers bombed our small town all the night long. And in the morning soldiers were walking in the streets and shooting all those they met. I can't sleep, I close my eyes and see those pictures of violence." - Irina Gagloeva. These are just some of the people our partners in the region have met. Petr Lunichkin (pictured left) and his workers from North Ossetian Compassion Ministry are trying to assist the estimated 35,000 refugees that have fled north, away from the fighting.
They urgently need funds to buy food, clothing and medicine. Petr and his team have already started to meet the refugees and assess their needs. One woman they met (pictured on the front cover and right) is Tamara: “My grandchildren keep me in this life. If it were not for them, I would pass away. Can you imagine that there are no children running near your house, there is no noise and voices of kids? Can you imagine there is no tree that you planted many many years ago near your house and there is no house itself? There is no house, your stronghold, your hearth, that you were building, forming and keeping for many years. I have nothing. And I don't know where are my sons!” Tamara started weeping again. “Not long ago we were living together with Georgians, as one family. Now it seems all of us went mad. Why is there so much sorrow, hatred and evil? Why are we killing each other?” Tamara still doesn't know what has happened to her four sons. Her home is destroyed and she has lost all her possessions. Please help us to help her along with the many others who are wondering what happened, and what hope there is for the future. David Roderick - director


How you can help
Please Help We have all seen the terrible images of the conflict on the news and wondered if there is anything we can do to help. This is our chance - please join with us and help those who have lost everything. Please mark your gift “Georgia”. For further prayer requests please see the October Prayer Diary online. You can also visit our Prayer Blog for immediate requests. Click Here.

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