DRC/ASF PROGRAM OF EMERGENCY AND INTEGRATION
ASSISTANCE TO THE VICTIMS OF THE ARMED CONFLICT IN CHECHNYA
Latest developments
On 6 August the Russian military have detained a 61-year-old British citizen in the Chechen town of Urus-Martan. Brian Graham claimed that he was examining the possibilities of rendering humanitarian aid in Chechnya. Russian authorities suspected that Graham was attempting to provide aid to the rebels. The Russian foreign ministry ruled to expel him and informed the British embassy accordingly. Brian Graham claimed he was working with the Danish Refugee Council but in fact he had been working with DRC before his contract expired in the year 2000. Russia's Federal Security Service has banned British national Brian Graham from entering Russia.
On 20 August the Chechnya republican committee for IDPs informed that six camps of temporary accommodation have been created in Chechnya for receiving displaced persons. More than 300 Chechens returned from Ingushetia's tent camps to Chechnya in the end of the previous week, including 50 people who came to a temporary accommodation camp in the town of Argun. According to the committee's information, over 400 displaced persons will return to the Argun camp of temporary accommodation by the end of August. Another four temporary accommodation camps are being built in Grozny and other District centers. Up to 50,000 refugees will be settled in the private sector. In the opinion of the committee's specialists, the number of Chechens wishing to return home will sharply increase after the redistribution of the main humanitarian aid flow from Ingushetia tent camps to Chechen territory.
On August 23 the Russian government approved the Federal program of economic and social rehabilitation in Chechnya for 2002 and subsequent years. About 4.5 billion rubles are planned to be appropriated from the federal budget next year, Vladimir Yelagin said. It is supposed that over 14 billion rubles of extra-budget money will also be spent on the restoration of Chechnya's economy and its social sphere. Besides, it has been planned to double the funding of housing construction - about 3,5 billion rubles is to be spent on that. The federal center is to spend 600 million rubles on farming and 500 million on law-enforcement in Chechnya.
Other News
On 15 August the Russian president Vladimir Putin signed a decree on awarding the Order of friendship to the head of the Civil Administration of Chechnya Akhmad Kadyrov. Kadyrov is to receive the Order of Friendship "for his important contribution to strengthening friendship and cooperation between the peoples," the presidential decree reads.
On 22 August Vladimir Yelagin, RF Minister for coordination of federal bodies' actions in Chechnya, announced that on the whole the Chechen Republic is ready for the new academic year. 452 schools and 5 boarding schools are ready to accept pupils. Nearly 190,000 children and teenagers are expected to start studying; about 13,000 teachers will tutor them. Many Chechen schoolchildren spent this summer in camps, health and tourist centers in various regions of Russia. According to the children's holiday program approved by Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Khristenko, about 60,000 Chechen children will spend their holidays in Russian resorts by the end of 2001.
DRC/ASF Registration
Ingushetia
According to the latest DRC/ASF survey data as of 31.08.2001, the number of IDPs living Ingushetia constitutes 146,797 persons. The majority of the IDPs live in Sunzhenskiy District of Ingushetia, neighbouring to Chechnya (52,617 persons). The decrease of the number of the Chechen IDPs staying in Ingushetia is due to the factor of move of a number of IDPs to Chechnya. (Annex 1, Tables 1, 2).
Chechnya
As of 30.07.2001, the Chechnya population constitutes 790,006 persons, having as many as 134,283 inner IDPs in the area. Comparing with the previous data as of 30.07.2001, the number of the inner IDPs in Chechnya increased, parallel with its decrease in Ingushetia. (Annex 1, Tables 3, 4, 5).
Distribution
Ingushetia
WFP/DRC/ASF Joint Program of Emergency Assistance
For the period from 1 up to 31 August 2001, DRC/ASF conducted WFP-funded distributions of flour, sugar and salt to Chechen IDPs living in Ingushetia. As a result, 1,518.331 MT of w/flour were distributed, along with 16.836 MT of salt and 56.234 MT of sugar among more than 112,000 IDPs, staying in Karabulakskiy, Malgobekskiy, Nazranovskiy and Sunzhenskiy districts of Ingushetia. From the beginning of WFP distribution on 18 February 2000 and up to 31 August 2001, DRC/ASF distributed in total more than 26,950 MT of food to Chechnya IDPs, living on the territory of Ingushetia. (Annex 2, Table 1).
DRC/ASF permanent distribution points in Ingushetia:
In Ingushetia, DRC/ASF distributes food commodities through 23 distribution points (DP):
NAZRAN (7 DPs): Plievo, Nazran City, Altievo, Gamuzi, Barsuki, Nasyr-Kort.
SUNZHA (7 DPs): Sleptsovskaya, Alkhasty, Galashki, Troiskaya, Muzhichi, Nesterovskaya, Chemulga.
MALGOBEK (9 DPs): Psedakh, Sagopshi, Noviy Redant, Zyazikov- Yurt, Voznesenonskaya, Aki-Yurt, Verkhniye Achaluki, Sredniye Achaluki, Nizhniye Achaluki.
KARABULAK (1 DP): Karabulak Town and suburbs.
Food rations (WFP items)
Sugar 0,5 kg per person
Salt 0,15 kg per person
Flour 13,5 kg
DRC/ASF warehouse facilities
Malgobek (non-food) 1,098 m2;
Nazran "Kamaz-Center" - 3,960m2;
Nazran-3 (food/non-food) - 1,302m2;
Nazran-4 (non-food/building materials) - 470 m2;
Nazran-5 (building materials) - 2,547 m2;
Plievo (food) - 2,750m2.
Chechnya
DRC/ASF Program of Emergency Assistance to the people of Chechnya
From 11 to 20 August 2001, DRC/ASF delivered to Chechnya 47 trucks loaded with WFP food commodities. The total of commodities, including flour, salt, sugar and vegetable oil, were equivalent to 456.973 MT (Annex 2, Table 2). From the beginning of the operation of WFP distribution in Chechnya, DRC/ASF distributed more than 3,081.8 MT of food commodities. Areas of DRC/ASF food distribution in Chechnya: - ECHO-funded distribution: Urus- Martanovskiy, Shalinskiy, Kurchaloyskiy, Nozhay-Yurtovskiy, Vedenskiy Districts and 2 IDP camps in Nadterechniy District. - WFP food: Groznenskiy Rural District, Staropromyslovskiy District of Grozny
Besides, during August 2001, DRC/ASF has been conducting the distribution of ECHOfunded food assistance. Thus, from 4 up to 24 August, there have been delivered to Chechnya 114 trucks loaded with 1,091.329 MT of food products (See Annex 2, Table 3).
In the framework of its Shelter Program, from 1 until 28 August, DRC/ASF delivered to the republic of Chechnya 71 trucks with building materials, procured for ECHO and DANIDA. (Annex 2, Table 4). Besides, in August, DRC/ASF distributed in Gudermes, Alkhazurovo and Komsomolskoye settlements of Chechnya the following commodities, procured for DANIDA funding: 7 sets for children, 6 jackets for children, 4 bed sheets, 2 mattresses, 1 stove and 1 tent.
On 3 and 7 July DRC/ASF delivered to a hospital of Staropromyslovskiy district of Grozny and distributed there 11342 tins of canned beef and 166 tins of kasha, provided by the EU. (Annex 2, Table 5).
From 8 to 30 August DRC/ASF held distributions of UNHCR-funded salt. The distributions were carried out in Shalinskiy, Gudermesskiy, Urus-Martanovskiy and Kurchaloyevskiy districts of the republic. As a result, there were distributed 19.159 MT of salt. (Annex 2, Table 6).
Besides, from 11 to 27 August 2001, DRC/ASF also distributed in Chechnya UNHCR nonfood commodities. As a result of distributions, the beneficiary population received 920 jerry cans. Besides, along with other non-food distributions, there were distributed the UNHCRprovided 1 blanket, 1 mattress and one sheet of plastic.
Daghestan
During August, DRC/ASF continued implementation of program of humanitarian assistance to Chechnya IDPs in Daghestan. On 24 August 2001, DRC/ASF delivered to Daghestan 8 trucks loaded with ECHO-funded food commodities (flour, oil and sugar). For details, please, see the Annex 2, Table 7).
Shelter Program
Chechnya
Since the beginning of the implementation of the Shelter Program in Chechnya in November 2000, there has been registered 6,574 houses subject to reconstruction, 4,525 of them being rebuilt. Other 843 houses of the 1st and the 2nd degrees of destruction in Achkhoy-Martanovskiy District of Chechnya and Staropromyslovskiy district of Grozny City require repairing.
The DRC/ASF jointer's workshop produced 94 windows and 10 doors to be used during the reconstruction of some 31 houses in the settlement of Shaami-Yurt of Achkhoy- Martanovskiy District.
The re-registration in the village of Kalinina (Grozny) started. Along with houses of the 1st and the 2nd degrees, the houses of the 3rd degree of destruction, with partially damaged roofs will be registered.
The criteria accepted by DRC/ASF for determining the degree of destruction as the following:
1st degree: Insignificant damage of roof;
2nd degree: Damage of the roof's construction;
3rd degree: Partial damage of walls;
4th degree: Total destruction of walls;
5th degree: Totally destroyed house (including the foundation).
At present, DRC/ASF serve the houses of the 1st-4th degrees. At that, the houses of 1st and 2nd degrees are rebuilt for ECHO donation, while the restoration of the houses of 3rd and 4th degrees is financed by DANIDA.
Integration
From 1 until 31 August, DRC/ASF Integration Program's staff received and examined 220 applications within the framework of the self-employment project, 150 of them being monitored throughout August with continuation in September.
In accordance with the terms of the contract of implementation of the technical project, the last monitoring was conducted. The objective of the monitoring is to examine whether the offered small-business project is workable and to estimate the necessity of the owner in the equipment. Thus, the special equipment for starting the small business projects was distributed to 257 owners of IGP.
In total, since the beginning of the project implementation, the Integration Department served 267 projects, 202 of them being animal-breeding ones, and 65 - technical. Besides, according to the contracts' terms, the equipment was handed over to 257 owners of small businesses.
DRC/ASF runs a database of NGOs, operating in the North Caucasus. At present, the database contains the information on 14 NGOs, 9 of them operating in Chechnya and other 5 - in Ingushetia. The target group of the NGOs is: IDPs and victims of military (ethnic) conflicts. The assistance rendered to the target group includes:
- Rights defendant activity;
- Social projects and integration programs;
- Programs for children (summer vacations; education; rehabilitation,
including medical one);
- Information activity.
Besides, in cooperation with the Integration Program (Stavropol), there was elaborated the strategy of the two departments' interaction, such as joint events, trainings, seminars. The work within this project is to be started in September 2001.
Integration Program in Stavropol Krai
During August 2001, DRC/ASF Integration Program in Stavropol Krai distributed 37 loans (36 in Stavropol Krai and 1 in Kabardino-Balkaria). Beginning August, DRC has introduced at new system of repayment of loans. When assumed possible loan takers have started to repay their loans in monthly instalments instead as former in the end of a project cycle. This system has proved very efficient as at part of improving the repayment rate. Repayment rates from Krasnodar have almost reached 90%. Further it has been planned that starting September-October the collection of loan repayments by bank transfer will be introduced.
51 projects have been monitored during August. These include 24 pre-loan trips and 27 follow-up monitoring trips.
In July - August 2001 DRC was conducting a recreational summer camp for IDP children and teenagers from Adygea, Daghestan, Ingushetia, Karachayevo-Cherkessia, North Ossetia, Krasnodar krai and Stavropol krai. DRC/ASF Summer Camp "OUR WORLD - OUR PEACE" for IDP children from different regions of North Caucasus was funded through support of DANIDA and UNICEF. The target group of the project are children from low-income IDP families, aged 10 to 16. The camp offered several courses of different activities (drawing, swimming, dancing, modelling, theatre games). Besides, DRC/ASF project staff organized travel to the Black Sea side for IDP children.
DDG/DCA
Ingushetia: In August DDG/DCA Mine Awareness instructors continued performing Mine Awareness sessions in Ingushetia. The target group is children and youngsters between 7- 25 years currently living in Ingushetia in IDP camps and at host families. Parallel with information work at DDG/DCA Information Centers, the instructors are performing sessions in host families. They visit each house where IDPs from Chechnya found shelter and give them general information on mines and how to avoid them. Besides oral information, the instructors show video with important Mine Awareness messages, distribute MA booklets, leaflets, calendars. Most of Mine Awareness NGOs are concentrated on IDPs living in camps and spontaneous settlements, while people living in host families have not received any Mine Awareness education. Therefore, the activity of DDG/DCA instructors is highly appreciated by people.
Presently, DDG/DCA instructors are working in Sunzhenskiy and Malgobekskiy Districts. Thus, 5018 IDPs living in host families received general Mine Awareness information from DDG/DCA in August 2001.
To provide more people with Mine Awareness education, DDG/DCA MA instructors are working at the biggest bus station in Sleptsovskaya village. They get in each bus or taxi going to Chechnya and give safety recommendations to the passengers. Besides, they disseminate MA leaflets, booklets and calendars with the main MA messages. Special leaflets for those going to Chechnya have been produced and put in each bus and taxi. The posters with important information on MA are hanged at the bus stations. So far, 830 people received MA information at bus stations.
Chechen Teachers Course: 37 teachers from Kurchaloyevskiy and Shalinskiy Districts of Chechnya have attended the Course within August. The Course contains sessions in Basic Mine Awareness skills such as different types of mines, UXOs and booby-traps, danger areas, risky behaviour, warning signs, socio-economic consequences of mines and UXOs, educational principles and field practice sessions. Besides, the teachers receive education in basic first aid. All teachers having received the DDG/DCA Mine Awareness course will perform sessions at their schools within 4 weeks after finishing the course. Visual training material has been produced for the course: an interactive game of "Right behaviour", a "Class Room Cross Word", photos, posters, demo-mines and "Right Behaviour Messages".
Mine Awareness Educational Materials: 1000 First Aid booklets designed by the DDG/DCA Local Mine Awareness coordinator, doctor by occupation, were issued in August. The booklets are being disseminated amongst the teachers from Chechnya attending DDG/DCA Teachers Course and the schools in Chechnya. 6000 Mine Awareness booklets have been produced to be distributed in Chechnya amongst the families who have not received the booklets at DRC/ASF distribution points.
Stavropol, 31 August 2001.
For further information, please contact:
Representative, Maria Olsen
Tel/fax: + 7 095 - 203 35 80,
mobile + 7- 8 902 696 67 54;
E-mail: drcmoscow@mtu-net.ru
DRC Russian Federation
Per. Granatny, 9, office 56
(Architect's House)
103 001 Moscow Russian Federation
Tel./Fax +7 095 203 35 80
Project Manager, Jean Tissot
Tel/fax: +7 8732 2 67 71;
E-mail: tissot@southnet.ru
DRC Field Office
Ul. Nuradilova, 14
366 720 Nazran RI
Russian Federation
Earlier issues of the DRC/ASF Situation Reports can be found on the Internet at: www.reliefweb.int, www.drc.ru
(pdf* format)