Humanitarian Consequences of a Conflict
South Ossetia, inhabited primarily by ethnic Ossetians, has sought independence from Georgia. The region has experienced sporadic violence and tension since the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s.
The most significant conflict occurred in the early 2000s, particularly in 2008, when fighting erupted between Georgian forces and South Ossetian separatists. This conflict escalated into a short but intense war, resulting in significant casualties and displacement of thousands of civilians.
Despite numerous peace efforts, the ethnopolitical conflict in South Ossetia, which began in 1989, remained unresolved.
Trauma Relief to Military, Peacekeepers, Civilians
Against this backdrop, The Art of Living stepped in to bring solace to people traumatized by the conflict. A team of volunteers from Russia, including doctors and psychologists, worked round-the-clock in Tskhinvali from August 20, 2008.
Nearly 1,500 people benefited from the trauma relief sessions, which included breathing techniques and meditation. Over 200 Russian military soldiers, 80 Russian peacekeepers, and 200 South Ossetian peacekeepers, directly in the line of firing attended the sessions. Around 1,000 people including civilians, teachers, school children, doctors, journalists, and staff of the Presidential administration also experienced benefits from The Art of Living’s interventional programs.
Volunteering Continued Despite the War
Despite the fierce fighting between Russian forces and South Ossetian separatists on one side and Georgian forces on the other, The Art of Living volunteers stayed put and provided support to individuals from diverse backgrounds. Their unwavering commitment earned praise and endorsement from the Minister of Health Care of South Ossetia and the Presidential administration.
