United Nations Radio

Various United Nations agencies on Friday expressed serious concern at the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the breakaway province of South Ossetia following the Georgian offensive to retake the province.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is calling on all sides to respect humanitarian law and not target civilians.

Spokeswoman Anna Nelson:

"We will be calling for the opening of a humanitarian corridor to enable ambulances to evacuate wounded people and to enable civilians to be evacuated out of the conflict zone. We are very concerned about the humanitarian impact of the escalation of violence in the region."

ICRC says hospitals are overflowing with the injured, and surgeries are being done in the corridors.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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