RCWS Supports Relief Efforts in Georgia Reformed Church World Service (RCWS) has made an initial commitment of $5,000 to assist refugees displaced by fighting in the Republic of Georgia. Congregations and individuals who wish to join the effort may send contributions, designated "Georgia Relief," to Reformed Church in America, P.O. Box 19381, Newark, NJ 07195-1938 or, in Canada, to Synod of Canada, 201 Paradise Road, North Hamilton, ON L8S 3T3. To donate by credit card call the RCA Michigan Regional Center at (800) 968-3943 or visit the RCWS Donation page. RCWS is working with Action by Churches Together (ACT International) to provide food and shelter and other emergency relief for refugees from the current fighting in Georgia. ACT International is a Swiss-based international alliance of churches and relief agencies with which RCWS is affiliated.  Since 1989 periodic conflicts have taken place between Georgians on one side and Russians and Ossetians on the other. Ossetians are Farsi-related people who live in the southern Caucasus region of South Ossetia, within the Republic of Georgia. The current fighting is by far the worst since 1989. Tens of thousands of people have fled the conflict area, some going north into North Ossetia, which is a part of the Russian Federation, and some moving south into other parts of Georgia. Accurate statistics are difficult to compile, but according to United Nation sources there are probably 35,000 refugees in North Ossetia and about twice that number scattered across Georgia. For about ten years Action by Churches Together (ACT) has worked with the Russian Orthodox Church and Hungarian Interchurch Aid to help refugees from Chechnya and elsewhere in the broader region. These two organizations are in a good position to help refugees in North Ossetia. The Russian Orthodox Church and ACT International are now seeking a suitable local partner, if possible a church partner, for providing emergency shelter, food, medicine, and eventually clothing to refugees in Georgia. 
Duncan Hanson, supervisor for RCA Global Mission in Europe and the Middle East, is working with colleagues in Europe and North America to remain up-to-date on developments in the region.
Posted 08/15/08
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