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Estonian PM gives personal donation of $500 to Georgian refugees

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Estonia's prime minister has donated 5,000 krooni (around $500) toward aid efforts for Georgian refugees who were forced to flee the recent conflict in South Ossetia, the government press service said on Monday.
TALLINN, August 18 (RIA Novosti) - Estonia's prime minister has donated 5,000 krooni (around $500) toward aid efforts for Georgian refugees who were forced to flee the recent conflict in South Ossetia, the government press service said on Monday.

The press service said that along with Andrus Ansip's personal donation, other Estonian ministers had also sent money to Georgian refugees, but did not specify the amounts.

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet earlier said Estonia was ready to grant Georgia aid worth 10 million krooni (around $1 million).

Estonia's Red Cross has collected just over 2 million krooni ($200,000).

Due to the Estonian government's decision to render aid only the Georgian side, a number of public organizations have set up an initiative group to collect funds for civilians who suffered in the conflict on both sides. The group is maintaining contact with the Russian Embassy in Estonia.

Georgia launched a major offensive to seize control of secessionist South Ossetia on August 8, prompting Russia to send several hundred tanks and thousands of troops into the region.

Russia says at least 1,600 civilians were killed in the Georgian attack on Tskhinvali, the capital of South Ossetia.

Up to half of South Ossetia's population of around 70,000 is believed to have fled the fighting. The UN refugee agency has said that some 118,000 people were forced to flee their homes in South Ossetia and Georgia due to the conflict.

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