VOA标准英语2008年-United Nations Steps Up Aid To Georgia

United Nations and International agencies are stepping up aid to victims of the conflict between Georgia and Russia that erupted Friday in the breakaway region of South Ossetia. The agencies say lack of access to South Ossetia is the biggest problem they face. Lisa Schlein reports from UN European headquarters in Geneva.

The aid is starting to flow into Georgia. The U.N. refugee agency reports a plane it chartered carrying relief supplies for civilians¹ landed at the airport in the capital, Tblisi, Tuesday morning.

Spokesman Ron Redmond says the plane carried 34 tons of tents, jerry cans, blankets and kitchen sets from UNHCR's central emergency stockpile in Dubai.

"It is the first U.N. humanitarian² flight to reach Georgia since the fighting in the breakaway region of south Ossetia erupted on Friday," he said. "A second UNHCR flight is scheduled tomorrow from Copenhagen, another of our central logistical hubs. The two flights will provide more than 70 tons of aid supplies for up to 30,000 people and will augment³ other relief items already distributed by UNHCR from its warehouses⁴ in Georgia."
　
A displaced woman from Gori breaks down in tears while fleeing the South Ossetia bordering region, 12 Aug 2008

Latest figures provided by Georgian and Russian government sources estimate nearly 100,000 people have been uprooted⁵ as a result of the fighting in South Ossetia. U.N. aid workers report up to 80 percent of the population in the Georgian border town of Gori has left following heavy bombardment by Russian aircraft.

The International Committee of the Red Cross says a plane loaded with 16 tons of medical supplies as well as materials to support water distribution to 20,000 people left Geneva Tuesday for Tblisi.

In addition, the Red Cross has launched a preliminary appeal for nearly $7.5 million to meet the emergency needs of around 50,000 people.

Red Cross spokeswoman Anna Nelson says the appeal will ensure adequate surgical⁶ and medical care for the wounded. It will provide emergency aid for people displaced in North Ossetia and Georgia, and for civilians remaining in Ossetia. But, she says, the dangerous security situation makes access a problem.

"We, the ICRC, do not yet have access in South Ossetia," she said. "We have been calling since Friday for safe and unimpeded access to all areas affected⁷ by the conflict."

These concerns are shared by other aid agencies all of which are calling for the creation of a humanitarian corridor to allow for the safe passage of civilians and essential relief supplies.

The ICRC reports its delegates on Monday visited two Russian pilots who were wounded during the conflict in South Ossetia and are being held by the Georgian authorities. Anna Nelson says the men are fine and were able to send Red Cross letters to their families.

She says the Red Cross is seeking access to all people captured or arrested in connection with the conflict.

 

1 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。

2 humanitarian   

n.人道主义者，博爱者，基督凡人论者

参考例句：

• She has many humanitarian interests and contributes a lot to them.她拥有很多慈善事业，并作了很大的贡献。
• The British government has now suspended humanitarian aid to the area.英国政府现已暂停对这一地区的人道主义援助。

3 augment   

vt.(使)增大，增加，增长，扩张

参考例句：

• They hit upon another idea to augment their income.他们又想出一个增加收入的办法。
• The government's first concern was to augment the army and auxiliary forces.政府首先关心的是增强军队和辅助的力量。

4 warehouses   

仓库，货栈( warehouse的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The whisky was taken to bonded warehouses at Port Dundee. 威士忌酒已送到邓迪港的保稅仓库。
• Row upon row of newly built warehouses line the waterfront. 江岸新建的仓库鳞次栉比。

5 uprooted   

v.把（某物）连根拔起( uproot的过去式和过去分词 )；根除；赶走；把…赶出家园

参考例句：

• Many people were uprooted from their homes by the flood. 水灾令许多人背井离乡。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The hurricane blew with such force that trees were uprooted. 飓风强烈地刮着，树都被连根拔起了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 surgical   

adj.外科的，外科医生的，手术上的

参考例句：

• He performs the surgical operations at the Red Cross Hospital.他在红十字会医院做外科手术。
• All surgical instruments must be sterilised before use.所有的外科手术器械在使用之前，必须消毒。

7 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。