ROMA, Aug 15, 2008 / 01:00 pm (CNA).- Caritas Georgia and Caritas Russia are working together to provide assistance to the thousands of victims of who are suffering due to the conflict between the two countries.

According to the L’Osservatore Romano, the Apostolic Administrator of Caucaso, Bishop Giuseppe Pasotto, said, “There is great fear and disillusionment among Georgians because they think that the bombings will resume at any moment.”

In response to the current crisis, the bishop explained, “Caritas Georgia has begun helping families in difficulties. Fortunately it had first aid supplies and food which it already began to distribute to the different camps taking in those who lost their homes.” He further explained that the relief effort is being carried out with “the collaboration of the patriarchate.”

L’Osservatore Romano also reports that Caritas Russia has visited the camps together with leaders of the Orthodox Church to determine how to initiate assistance from Catholics for those impacted by the conflict. According to statistics, some 40,000 people in Georgia have become refugees during the conflict with Russia.