UNITED NATIONS, Aug 18 (Reuters) - U.N. and other aid agencies issued a joint appeal for $58.6 million on Monday to help more than 100,000 people affected by fighting in Georgia.

The money would help supply victims of the crisis with food, medicine, shelter, water, sanitation and other essentials for the next six months, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a statement.

The crisis erupted after Georgia sent its military on Aug. 7-8 to try to recapture the rebel, Moscow-backed province of South Ossetia and Russia responded with overwhelming force.

The funds will support nine U.N. agencies and 16 nongovernmental and international organizations in meeting the needs of 128,700 people displaced or otherwise affected by the conflict, OCHA said.

U.N. relief officials have complained of limited access to those in need, who they say are scattered around numerous sites, making them difficult to locate.

"In addition to displaced persons, we remain seriously concerned about the plight of other affected populations -- many of whom we have yet to reach and assess the extent of their needs," said Catherine Bragg, deputy head of OCHA.

"While the most acute phase of the violence appears to have passed, until there is a firm peace in the country we must be prepared to respond to a critical and fluctuating humanitarian situation."

Bragg noted that donors had already pledged $23 million. The Geneva-based U.N. relief agency UNHCR has already begun flying in aid and a first convoy reached the almost deserted Georgian town of Gori on Sunday.

Antonio Guterres, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, is due to visit Georgia and Russia from Tuesday to Friday. (Reporting by Patrick Worsnip; editing by David Wiessler)

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