South Ossetia was the battleground and bone of contention in the recent war between Russia and Georgia. Russia stepped in to defend this small rural land when it was attacked by Georgia in last August. South Ossetia is thankful to Russia for defending their sovereignty but after euphoria has died down they are facing long harsh winter and difficult task of rebuilding their nation and life.

Tskhinvali is still in ruins and people are shivering in make shift homes. The promised aid is trickling in slowly. There is severe scarcity of even drinking water. The reconstruction is slow because of there are only two factories which produce building materials. The supply if any must have to be brought in by narrow highways which are often blocked by avalanches in winter. Also there are instances of theft and diversion of trucks bringing in supplies. Moreover much depends on the intentions of contractors too. So rebuilding has been slow for more than one reason.

It is indeed ironic that nations wage wars for their geographic boundaries and national sovereignty and end up destroying and ruining lives of their own people. Unfortunately homes can be reduced to rubbles in overnight bombing but it takes long to rebuild them. And scars never really heal.

Via The New York Times