UNICEF: Georgian fighting affecting kids

UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- A U.N. agency Thursday expressed concern about the impact fighting in Georgia has on children, stressing that they must receive protection and basic services.

"We need to be able to respond very rapidly to ensure a resumption of normal childhood activities for children and ensure that protection mechanisms and health standards are in place for them," Benjamin Perks, deputy representative of UNICEF in Georgia, said in a news release.

Heavy fighting began last week in breakaway republic South Ossetia between Georgian and South Ossetian forces, with Russian forces becoming involved in both South Ossetia and Abkhazia, another breakaway republic.

Meanwhile, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he welcomed the acceptance by Georgia and Russia of a proposed peace plan to end the conflict, and urged them to quickly end the fighting.