Vladikavkaz/Agency Caucasus – Tens of thousands of North Caucasian people have mobilized to voluntarily contribute to South Ossetia’s defense against Georgian attacks.
Over 8 000 volunteers were transported to South Ossetia, while as many as 3 000 other volunteers have remained in Vladikavkaz, capital of North Ossetia, until they are given the go-ahead to move to South Ossetia. The lot of volunteers in Vladikavkaz were reported to come from Kabardino-Balkar, Dagestan, Chechnya, Rostov and other regions. Volunteers from Terek and Don Cossacks joined the South Ossetian defense, as well. "We cannot stop volunteers from taking a step such as this, because many of them have their families, relatives and close friends living in South Ossetia," a senior official of the Terek Cossacks’ Union said.
Those people in Dagestan’s capital city of Makhachkala who want to voluntarily help South Ossetians are officially enrolled. Said Amarov, President of Makhachkala, issued a call for support to the South Ossetians in their just war. Soon after he expressed readiness as well as willingness to host refugees and the wounded, the municipal workers urgently set up places where 400 refugees could be received. The Municipality officials of Makhachkala set up a desk to enrol volunteers for a joint campaign to take sides with South Ossetians in their war against Georgians until peace is restored. The Dagestan administration also sent off a rapid response team that included 12 research and rescue workers to South Ossetia. Hasavyurt hosted on August 8 a mass demonstration of support for Ossetians.
Volunteers in Makhachkala and other cities of Dagestan have already begun to donate blood for civilians and soldiers injured in military operations in South Ossetia.
"We are working together with our North Ossetian colleagues to determine how much blood and blood plasm is needed," said Aminat Kabardiyeva, who is organizing the blood donations. "Day after day, there is a gradual increase in the number of volunteers who want to donate blood to medical institutions and hospitals in North Ossetia."
"I have seen on television how violently Georgian troops attacked South Ossetia," one of the blood donors said. "There are lots of people there in need of immediate help. I could not just stay indifferent. I will be happy if my blood saves one’s life."
KU/ÖZ/FT
