U.N. airlifts food aid to Georgia

UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Two cargo planes flew to Tbilisi Wednesday with 34 tons of high-energy biscuits for people displaced by the conflict in Georgia, U.N. officials said.

The United Nations said about 100,000 people were displaced since heavy fighting began Thursday between Georgian and South Ossetian forces. Some fled to other parts of Georgia while others fled to North Ossetia in Russia, the organization said in a news release.

Russian forces later become involved in South Ossetia, and in Abkhazia in northwestern Georgia.

The U.N. World Food Program said the Antonov 12 cargo aircraft left from the U.N. Humanitarian Response Depot in Brindisi, Italy. The biscuits are in addition to in-country food stocks the agency started distributing during the weekend.

"The number of people in need of food assistance continues to escalate," said Lola Castro, the World Food Program's Georgia Country Director.

The agency said it also identified bakeries near areas where internally displaced persons are concentrated and will supply wheat flour to make bread for distribution to the displaced.

The first of two humanitarian airlifts chartered by the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees arrived in Georgia Tuesday, bringing 34 tons of tents, jerry cans, blankets and kitchen sets.