VOA标准英语2008年-Conditions Worsening For Displaced in Georgia

The International Committee of the Red Cross says tens of thousands of people are in need of emergency help in conflict-ridden parts of Georgia, including the breakaway region of South Ossetia. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from ICRC headquarters in Geneva the agency describes conditions as worsening for those affected¹ by the armed conflict involving Georgian, Russian and South Ossetian troops.
　
Georgians fleeing their homes from fighting receive humanitarian² aid at a Red Cross refugee camp near Mtskheta, outside Tbilisi, Georgia, 11 Aug 2008

The International Committee of the Red Cross says the lack of access to the victims of war is the biggest problem facing aid agencies. It says the situation is particularly critical for thousands of people who are trapped in South Ossetia and have been without assistance for nearly a week.

The Red Cross says it has reports of large-scale human suffering and destruction of infrastructure³ there. But, there is little the agency can do to help because its pleas for safe, unimpeded access to the Georgian breakaway region so far have gone unheeded.

Red Cross Spokeswoman, Anna Nelson, tells VOA lack of access to these people is a big concern. But, she says an estimated 60,000 people elsewhere in Georgia who fled their homes also require emergency assistance.

"Mainly, we are talking very much about basic needs-water and sanitation⁴," Nelson said. " We are hearing today that in Tblisi the centers where a lot of displaced people have taken shelter and have been staying are now full, so tented camps are being set up by the government in empty spaces out near the airport and other areas. So, of course in those type of situation and in the public buildings where people are staying, water and sanitation will be a big priority in the days to come."

Nelson says insecurity is limiting what the Red Cross can do. For instance, she says a surgical⁵ team that had gone to the Georgian town of Gori on Wednesday was forced to leave because of a bomb alert, which caused panic among the local people.

"While our team was in Gori, they visited two hospitals," Nelson said. "One was pretty much empty or closed. The people there had been evacuated⁶. They visited another hospital. But, then due to security concerns, they were not able to actually support any of the surgical staff there in performing their duties. When they were out on the streets they said they saw signs of a lot of destruction and a lot of abandonment.

Nelson says the surgical team plans to visit one of the hospitals in Tblisi where a number of the wounded were taken from Gori. She says the Norwegian Red Cross is sending in a field hospital, which has a capacity for up to 20 beds and can be quickly assembled.

The Red Cross spokeswoman says an air bridge between Amman, Jordan and Tblisi is in full swing. This, she says, will allow daily relief flights to bring in urgently needed food and essential non-food items, such as hygiene⁷ kits⁸, tarpaulins⁹ and blankets.

 

1 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。

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 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

4 sanitation   

n.公共卫生，环境卫生，卫生设备

参考例句：

• The location is exceptionally poor,viewed from the sanitation point.从卫生角度来看，这个地段非常糟糕。
• Many illnesses are the result,f inadequate sanitation.许多疾病都来源于不健全的卫生设施。

5 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。

6 evacuated   

撤退者的

参考例句：

• Police evacuated nearby buildings. 警方已将附近大楼的居民疏散。
• The fireman evacuated the guests from the burning hotel. 消防队员把客人们从燃烧着的旅馆中撤出来。

7 hygiene   

n.健康法，卫生学 （a.hygienic）

参考例句：

• Their course of study includes elementary hygiene and medical theory.他们的课程包括基础卫生学和医疗知识。
• He's going to give us a lecture on public hygiene.他要给我们作关于公共卫生方面的报告。

8 kits   

衣物和装备( kit的名词复数 )； 成套用品； 配套元件

参考例句：

• Keep your kits closed and locked when not in use. 不用的话把你的装备都锁好放好。
• Gifts Articles, Toy and Games, Wooden Toys, Puzzles, Craft Kits. 采购产品礼品，玩具和游戏，木制的玩具，智力玩具，手艺装备。

9 tarpaulins   

n.防水帆布，防水帆布罩( tarpaulin的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Main wood to aluminum and plexiglass, PC, tarpaulins, toughened glass. 主材以铝型材与进口有机玻璃、PC、防水布、钢化玻璃。 来自互联网
• That means providing tents or other materials, including plastic sheeting, tarpaulins and wood. 这意味着需要帐篷和其他物资，包括塑料布、放水油布和木材。 来自互联网