Bishop Clayton Endecott, General Presbyter, COGOP, Europe, CIS, launched a UK appeal for warm clothes, dry food and medical supplies on behalf of Georgia congregations.  This was followed up by Bishop John Doroshuk, COGOP Mission.

Co-ordinator, during his visit to London when he briefed  RAFFA’s CEO on the humanitarian needs of COGOP members in Georgia.  He also presented a written report from Pastor Rusudan and Goderdzi Todaze, COGOP,Georgia.  Pastors Rusudan and Todaze had been working  with international aid organisations and took the initiative to visit and assist refugee families who were living in tents.  The refugees were primarily women, some of whom were pregnant, and many children.

The Pastors provided support to people who were still living in their ruin houses with no heat, light or water.  Their local hospital and music school had been burned to the ground.  The positive response of COGOP UK Churches to an appeal made it possible to ship a 40ft container full of emergency aid for the refugees.  The Church now faces the challenge of providing many of  these people with the spiritual capital and encouragement to rebuild their shattered lives and communities.

RAFFA has promised to remain an active participant in the process of transforming humanitarian aid into community development. Bishop John Doroshuk, Pastor Rusudan and Goderdzi Todaze were recipients of  RAFFA Community Development Awards 2009.