Families’ hardship one year on from South Ossetia

Exactly a year since the war between Russia and Georgia over the South Ossetia region, the area’s people are still suffering the fall-out. A total of nearly 200,000 were made homeless by the five days of fighting over which country controlled the region.One year later, about 30,000 people from both sides still haven’t been able to go back to their homes, according to amnesty international. Most are ethnic Georgians, who are still without basic services and suffer hardship, the human rights agency said.

Most of these families have been given compensation or temporary housing, as well as basic furniture and facilities. But because their villages are so remote many do not have easy access to hospitals, schools and places of work, Amnesty said. Many people are still dependent on aid. "An omnipresent sense of tension and insecurity prevent many people from returning to their homes and carrying on with their lives," the human rights group said in a statement. "Many of the people who have returned are facing a new reality brought about by the conflict, a reality in which they struggle to rebuild their lives and livelihoods," it added.

Russia now runs South Ossetia as an extension of its own nation, and has promised to fund the whole rebuilding and development project after the war. It has also pledged more than £179m in aid. But in Tskhinvali, South Ossetia there is little sign of that. A year on, the signs of war are still all around. Many thousands of families forced to flee live in a string of resettlement camps near the border. In Tskhinvali, hundreds of homes and government buildings remain gutted, which has triggered accusations of embezzlement by government officials. The local government says 70% of buildings in the capital were damaged in the fighting, which erupted with Georgia's assault on the city last August.
A handful of public buildings have been repaired or rebuilt, but many family homes homes still lie in ruins.

The fighting started on 7 August 2008, as Georgia tried to retake control of South Ossetia, following a series of clashes. Russian forces quickly stopped the attack and pushed further into Georgia. The conflict lasted for five days before a ceasefire was agreed. Russia pulled back, but built up its military presence in both South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Bonfires will be lit in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, and other towns at midnight to mark the anniversary. And today, a march and candlelight ceremony are planned in South Ossetia along with a minute's silence will be held to remember the hundreds who died.

By Hayley Jarvis for SOS Children