GENEVA, August 14, 2008 (AFP) - A United Nations human rights expert on Thursday expressed alarm about the lack of humanitarian access to the wounded and displaced in the conflict over South Ossetia.

The 100,000 displaced people in the region were 'still exposed to continuing dangers, facing difficulties in accessing shelter, medical care and food,' said Walter Kaelin.

He was 'also alarmed about reports that humanitarian access is still blocked and by allegations of widespread looting of property left behind by the displaced.'

Kaelin is UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's representative for the rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

He urged all parties in the conflict to allow those who wish to leave to do so as well as for 'unimpeded access' for aid organisations to reach the wounded and needy.

Russia and Georgia should include a provision in any peace plan for the return of all displaced people to their homes, for the return of their property and for compensation to be paid for any damage.

'Those who cannot or do not want to return should be given the opportunity to integrate elsewhere in the country,' he said.