UNHCR welcomes reports of humanitarian corridors in South Ossetia

10 August 2008

GENEVA - UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres today welcomed reports that two humanitarian corridors will be established for civilians caught up in the conflict in and around the Georgian breakaway region of South Ossetia.

Guterres said UNHCR was ready to provide immediate humanitarian support to Georgian or Russian authorities should they request it.

Reports on Sunday afternoon from Moscow and Tbilisi announced plans for the humanitarian corridors out of South Ossetia - one reportedly to North Ossetia in the Russian Federation and one to the south to Georgia proper.