Contact: Press Office, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), 202-712-4320; Public Information: 202-712-4810

WASHINGTON, August 12 /Standard Newswire/ -- The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), have provided an initial $250,000 in emergency assistance for the people of Georgia in response to the crisis situation. This funding will be used for emergency relief supplies that can assist up to 10,000 people. In addition, the U.S. Embassy has released pre-positioned disaster packages in the capital of Tbilisi with emergency shelter items and medical supplies which include tents, blankets, bedding, hygiene items, clothing, beds, cots, and medical supplies.

The U.S. Embassy issued a Disaster Declaration on Sunday, August 10, in response to the crisis. The Government of Georgia has requested humanitarian assistance, specifically medicines, medical supplies, emergency shelter items and food. In addition, the Georgian Minister of Refugee and Accommodations is expecting approximately 3,000 internally displaced persons to be brought to Tbilisi and the surrounding area. They are in need of emergency shelter items to include tents, blankets, beds and bedding.

"We are closely monitoring the situation," said USAID Administrator Henrietta Fore, "and stand ready to provide additional humanitarian assistance to help the people of Georgia."

In response to the situation, USAID's Office for Foreign Disaster Assistance has augmented its Washington regional team to coordinate U.S. humanitarian response activities, maintaining close contact with the U.S. Embassy and partners on the ground. USAID is coordinating response efforts with the European Commission Humanitarian Affairs Organization and UN OCHA, as well as NGO partners and the Government of Georgia.

For more information about USAID's emergency humanitarian assistance programs, please visit: www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/disaster_assistance/.