The SDC successfully concluded the Confederation’s Humanitarian Aid programme in the Russian Federation at the end of 2010. The programme was focused on improving laboratory diagnostics and building new accommodation for refugees in the North Caucasus.
The Confederation’s humanitarian aid programme concentrated on the areas of social integration and healthcare.
Assisting refugee integration through renovating accommodation and schools
In North Ossetia and Ingushetia 330 families have been provided with permanent accommodation. The residents received ownership deeds and were either wholly or partially involved in the work themselves. These projects were directly carried out by the SDC cooperation office. The SDC also provided the UNHCR with a construction specialist for the planning and implementation phases of other projects to build flats and houses. An additional part of this integration programme involved renovating five schools in Chechnya and making them earthquake resistant. Over 5,000 school children have benefited from this work.
Prevention of infectious diseases and strengthening local healthcare structures
A modest contribution has been sufficient to make a substantial and lasting improvement to laboratory diagnostics for tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and sexually transmitted diseases in the North Caucasian republics of North Ossetia, Ingushetia and Chechnya. The laboratories were subject to regular and independent quality checks, and laboratory staff in Chechnya and Ingushetia were able to benefit from further education and training. The treatment of tuberculosis now meets WHO standards. In addition, the SDC financed a range of prevention campaigns against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and the misuse of drugs and alcohol. At governmental level, cooperation and coordination between the health authorities has been intensified and improved.
Thanks to this improved cooperation and coordination between the heath authorities of the three republics, they are now in a position to ensure the continued quality of laboratory diagnostics themselves.