OCHA Situation Report
Chechnya and Neighbouring Republics (Russian Federation)
Report of March 2005
19 April 2005


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

HIGHLIGHTS

Protection of Civilians Remains a Priority of the Humanitarian Operation 
in the North Caucasus

On March 1-2, a Protection of Civilians workshop was held in Nazran, 
Ingushetia, as part of the Consolidated Appeals Process for humanitarian 
action in Chechnya and the Neighboring Republics. The workshop gathered 
government officials and aid workers to elaborate elements of the 
protection strategy for 2005 - 2006. Over 60 participants representing 
UN agencies, international and Russian NGOs, the ICRC, donors, federal 
government and local authorities took part in the workshop organized 
under the aegis of the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in the Russian 
Federation, and supported by OCHA and UNHCR. Four key topics were 
covered: protection needs of displaced people and host communities; 
special protection needs of women and children; justice and rule of law; 
humanitarian access and security of the humanitarian personnel. The 
participants worked out a series of recommendations on all the aspects 
of protection discussed. These recommendations will be taken into 
account in planning further activities in the region.

NGOs in the North Caucasus Concerned Over Administrative Problems

The UN and NGO community are seeking to establish greater trust and 
openness in their dialogue with the local authorities. However, some 
nongovernmental organizations active in the North Caucasus have 
encountered increased demands often replicating already existing and 
active reporting procedures. The NGOs are worried that these 
difficulties may hinder the successful implementation of their 
humanitarian programs in the region. For instance, the Polish 
Humanitarian Organization, although the Chechen authorities' permission 
for the NGO to conduct humanitarian activities in Chechnya had been 
extended until the end of November 2005, encountered problems in 
receiving Russian entry visas for their expatriate staff.

A New NGO Coordination Mechanism about to Emerge

A group of international NGOs in the North Caucasus has decided to found 
an NGO Consortium with the following primary goals: to promote 
consolidated representation on areas of common concern to external 
bodies; to promote the exchange of information related to humanitarian 
activities among members; and to share and develop resources. An 
Executive Committee has been elected (4 NGOs - World Vision, 
International Rescue Committee, Danish Refugee Council and CARE) to 
develop the Charter of the Consortium and to make steps to officially 
register the Consortium with the authorities.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

Protection

As of 31March 2005, a total of 32, 446 internally displaced persons 
(IDPs) from Chechnya (7,227 families) were registered for assistance in 
Ingushetia in the database of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC). Of this 
total, 12,064 persons (2,617 families) were in temporary settlements, 
and 20,382 persons (4,610 families) in private accommodation. From 1-28 
February, the Chechen Forced Migrants Committee reported the organized 
return of 118 persons (23 families).  In addition, Vesta, who monitors 
the Adler and Spartak checkpoints, reported individual returns of 160 
persons (35 families) from Ingushetia to Chechnya and new arrivals of 4 
persons (1 family) from Chechnya to Ingushetia.  During February, 123 
persons (27 families) were de-registered by DRC in Ingushetia and 
registered for assistance in Chechnya.

As no developments have been observed since last year regarding the four 
IDPs who were detained in Ingushetia and and disappeared, UNHCR 
instructed its implementing partner "Memorial" to appeal to court 
against inactivity of the Prosecutor's Office.

Legal counseling centers (LLC) run by UNHCR implementing partners Vesta 
and Memorial continued to provide consultations to persons of concern to 
UNHCR. In Chechnya, most of the consultations (159) were related to the 
procedural criminal, housing and civil law and compensations for the 
lost housing and property. LCC lawyers prepared and referred 32 
petitions and complaints to local courts and represented 11 cases there. 
In Ingushetia, groundless non-registration of Chechen IDPs at the place 
of sojourn, illegitimate de-registration from the Migration Service (MS) 
beneficiaries lists, refusal of MS to give out food ration arrears 
remained the main issues for consultations. A total of 214 consultations 
were provided in the republic, 29 applications and petitions were sent 
to local courts, and 10 cases were represented in courts.

Food

In March, WFP continued implementation of its main programs: relief 
distribution, school feeding and food fund activities (including food 
for work, food for training, TB and Dining Hall projects). WFP programs 
are implemented in Ingushetia and Chechnya through Caritas 
Internationalis, CPCD, CPHC, DRC, HWA, IMC, IR, MSF-Holland, OC, PIN, 
WHO, and WVRF. During March, some 2,510 tons of WFP-supplied food 
commodities were distributed to over 263,300 beneficiaries under all 
three programs. WFP continues the gradual reorientation to 
exchange-based programming, particularly in the school feeding. The 
program expanded in January, currently assists over 113,600 children in 
420 schools in both Ingushetia and Chechnya and is credited with a rise 
in school attendance of up to 20% by many school directors. WFP places 
top priority on mobilization of school and parent committees, who have 
made their considerable input into the school-feeding program through 
provision of additional foodstuffs and assistance in hot meals 
preparation. A mini-project initiative implemented in 22 schools in 
Chechnya, whereby school parent committees applied to WFP for small 
donations of building materials to improve the school environment, also 
contributes greatly to increasing community and parental support. Due to 
gaps in funding, within the next six months WFP will not be able to 
ensure regular provision of some commodities, such as sugar, salt and 
high-energy biscuits. To support the current emergency project till the 
end of September 2005, WFP will have to mobilize as soon as possible the 
remaining 34% (US$ 13,8 mln to purchase some 10,900 metric tons of food) 
of the funding required for the completion of the program (cost of the 
program totals US$ 26,6 mln).

Shelter

During March, UNHCR provided 16 box-tents to IDP families voluntarily 
returning to Chechnya, bringing the total since the beginning of the 
program to 929 units for Chechnya.  Another 7 box-tents were provided to 
IDP families choosing to remain in Ingushetia, bringing the total there 
to 431.

The International Rescue Committee continued maintenance work on the 
housing of IDPs in 9 temporary settlements in Ingushetia.

In Chechnya self-help-based rehabilitation work supported by IRC is 
ongoing on 40 houses in Alkhazurovo and 190 houses in Grozny. The IRC 
technical team partially rehabilitated 8 houses in Alkhazurovo and 10 
houses in Grozny.

Health

The World Health Organisation summarized the results of the study 
"Psychosocial condition of the Chechen population in the context of a 
durable emergency situation", carried out in November-December last 
year. The study was implemented by a psychiatrist from the Narcological 
dispensary of Chechnya under the supervision of the Moscow Research 
Institute of Psychiatry and the Ministry of Health of Chechnya and was 
similar to the one carried out two years previously. The study compares 
the results obtained during the two surveys. This was an attempt to 
determine cause-and-effect relations between recent socio-economic 
changes and the psychological state of the Chechen population. The level 
of distress has apparently decreased in the recent years thanks to the 
reduction of military activities and life-risk situations.

March 24, the World TB Day, was commemorated in the North Caucasus by 
holding a memorial conference at the Republican clinical hospital in 
Nazran (Ingushetia). The conference was organized by the Ingush TB 
service in collaboration with WHO and supported by a number of 
humanitarian organizations. The conference gathered governmental 
officials, representatives of the Ministry of Health of Ingushetia, 
national and international organizations and clergy. WHO donated 2,000 
leaflets on TB treatment for general public awareness to the Republican 
TB hospital in Nazran and various toys to the children of the TB 
sanatorium in Troitskaya village of Ingushetia.

>From March 28 - April 1 WHO carried out a training course on "TB in
Children and Adolescents" in Nazran. 36 paediatricians and primary 
health care workers from Chechnya and Ingushetia participated in the 
training, facilitated by experts from the Moscow Research Institute of 
Tuberculosis.

On March 14-18 in Nazran, WHO held a training course on prevention and 
treatment of infectious diseases for 25 primary health care workers from 
Ingushetia and Chechnya. A lecturer from the Moscow Sechenov Medical 
Academy facilitated the course.

On March 21-25 WHO held in Nazran a training course on health 
statistics. 49 deputy head doctors and medical record clerks from health 
care facilities in Ingushetia and Chechnya were in attendance. Two 
specialists from the RF Ministry of Health and Social Development 
facilitated the course.

WHO continued distributing condoms and relevant posters to health 
institutions in Ingushetia and Chechnya (Grozny) in the framework of its 
HIV/AIDS program. In March WHO donated 32,400 condoms to the Republican 
AIDS center in Grozny, Chechnya. The center also received 55 videotapes 
on the prevention of drug abuse and 19 videotapes on HIV awareness. 
Various WHO literature, brochures, calendars and information materials 
were donated as well. The Republican Blood Bank received WHO teaching 
modules on Blood Safety.

The International Medical Corps (IMC) remained active in providing 
health care to displaced people residing in temporary settlements in 
Ingushetia and people in a number of villages in Chechnya through its 
mobile medical teams. In commemoration of the World TB Day IMC donated 
150 hygienic kits for TB patients of the TB Dispensary of Ingushetia.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) continued to work towards 
improving the health status of war-affected mothers and children in 
Grozny by providing pregnant women with psychosocial counselling, health 
education and safe motherhood kits. 4 new groups of 48 pregnant women in 
total were formed at the beginning of March. IRC counsellors organized 
weekly training sessions on pre-natal and post-natal care for these 
women. In addition the IRC distributed 48 safe motherhood kits to the 
participants following the 8-hour safe motherhood training.

UNICEF in partnership with the CPCD's Women's Rehabilitation Centre has 
initiated the creation of the Youth Information Centre (YIC) in Malgobek 
District in Ingushetia.  It aims at organization and implementation of 
different information campaigns as well as provision of access to 
information and awareness raising materials on drug and alcohol abuse, 
STI, HIV/AIDS for young people on a more regular basis. The activities 
conducted by the YIC will target both resident and IDP young people aged 
between 14 and 24 of different social backgrounds, including senior 
schoolchildren, students, young employees, drop-outs, etc.

Education

By the end of March, the number of students aged from 7 to 18 in 28 
schools located in the temporary settlements in Ingushetia decreased to 
2,500 due to the ongoing return process. NGOs such as Hilfswerk Austria, 
People in Need, International Rescue Committee and Center for 
Peacemaking and Community Development continued supporting the 
management and maintenance of the IDP schools.

IRC conducted a seminar for 30 teachers on the legal issues of child 
protection at school facilitated by the Teacher Refresher Training 
Institute of Chechnya.

In March a special monitoring was conducted by UNICEF monitors and 
partner NGOs in some regions of Chechnya on the procurement of textbooks 
in the mainstream schools. The monitoring was to verify the actual needs 
for the textbooks versus the official statements of the Chechen 
authorities and regarding their plans to ensure availability of 
textbooks at 95% in 2005. The preliminary checks showed no encouraging 
results. Provision rate of the textbooks mostly to the rural areas, e.g. 
Vedeno and Kurchaloi, appears to be extremely insufficient. In some 
schools children are using textbooks badly copy-machined. UNICEF will 
continue the monitoring and share further results later on.

To increase the capacity of local schools where IDPs from Chechnya are 
enrolled, UNICEF procured a supply package for distribution in 23 
schools of Khasavyurt district in Dagestan. The package contains 500 
sets of school furniture, 35 blackboards, 1,584 sets of Russian and 
1,221 pieces of the Chechen language textbooks for Grade 1. A set of 
kindergarten furniture is also provided for the new ECE center to be 
opened on 1st of April together with the Khasavyurt Department of 
Education. All these supplies come as a follow up action after the 
mission to Dagestan to assess the needs of the IDP population.

Water and Sanitation

The Polish Humanitarian Organization (PHO) continued to implement water 
and sanitation programmes supported by UNICEF, ECHO and other donors. 
Within the framework of the Water Programme for Resident Civilians in 
Grozny PHO was supplying potable water to 269 distribution points 
located in health and educational institutions, TACs and residential 
areas of Grozny. The average water delivery capacity over the reporting 
period reached 651 cubic meters per day. Sampling and testing of the 
water regularly carried out by the government sanitary service (SES) 
revealed that the water met the SES safety standards. To be able to 
implement the water program PHO maintains water treatment units. To 
ensure uninterrupted operation of those the organization's currently 
needs EUR 30,000 to purchase necessary spare parts.

Aiming at improving environmental and sanitation conditions of the 
targeted population of Chechnya PHO, inter alia, continued to build 
latrines and provide for garbage and sewage disposal. The organization 
used a sewage truck which over the reporting period removed 237 cubic 
meters of sewage from mainly PHO-built latrines in schools and hospitals 
operating at an average capacity of 11 cu. m a day. In addition PHO 
currently operates 4 garbage trucks which in March removed 2,578 cubic 
meters of garbage from 116 locations.

UNICEF has supported the implementation of hygiene and sanitation 
activities in 51 educational facilities in Grozny. Within the framework 
of this project, targeting school and preschool children, safer hygiene 
practices and healthier life styles are being promoted among children 
with the help of trained teachers. In parallel, in partnerships with the 
SES, UNICEF has conducted a series of training sessions for IDPs 
residing in TACs in Grozny. During the reported period, 40 sessions have 
been conduced by SES covering 901 people, including 356 children in TACs 
in Dudaeva, Saikhanova, and Chaikovskogo Streets. UNICEF provided 
through partner NGO Serlo 8,000 bars of soap for distribution among 
beneficiaries attending hygiene sessions in TACs in Grozny.

Mine Action

UNICEF made a presentation on Mine Action at the Humanitarian Forum on 
March 18, 2005 in Moscow. Chechnya is one the several places on earth 
where land mines were widely used and still pose a threat to population 
after years of conflict. 592 people were reported killed or injured 
since January 2000 by land mines and Unexploded Ordnance (UXO), and a 
CAP Mine Action Plan aims to reduce the number of casualties and to 
avoid the impact of land mines and UXO explosions. One of the most 
important mechanisms is the IMSMA Database, which allows to register and 
collect reports on civilian casualties, as well as to coordinate efforts 
on survivors' assistance and treatment. About 30% of Chechnya's 
agricultural land is polluted. Besides UNICEF, key partners in Mine 
Action are WHO, ICRC, DDG/DRC, HI and other local and international 
NGOs. In a major development, EMERCOM began humanitarian demining in 
March.

UNICEF procured a new lot of assistive devices (wheelchairs, crutches, 
multifunctional beds, walking shticks). These devices will be shortly 
distributed to beneficiaries through the Chechen Ministry of Health and 
local NGOs.

In the framework of its physical rehabilitation programme for disabled 
children and women, UNICEF supported production of 11 prosthetic devices 
by Grozny Prosthetic Workshop.

Vocational training on tailoring for disabled girls was supported by 
UNICEF through the Chechen branch of All-Russian Society for Disabled. 
20 students currently attending the course significantly improved their 
skills in sewing of bed linen and basic overcoat. A very friendly 
atmosphere created by the trainers of the workshop contributes to 
psychosocial rehabilitation of these girls as well.

Funding of the Humanitarian Operation

>From the date of the last Information Bulletin until the end of March
donors recorded the following contributions in the Financial Tracking 
System (FTS):

|------------+----------+------------+-------------+----------|
|Description | Decision |   Donor    | Appealing   |Amount    |
|            |   date   |  Country   | Agency      |in USD    |
|------------+----------+------------+-------------+----------|
|UNHCR       | 27.02.05 |Switzerland |United       |  $152,542|
|secondment  |          |            |Nations High |          |
|technical   |          |            |Commissioner |          |
|coordinator |          |            |for Refugees |          |
|------------+----------+------------+-------------+----------|
|Coof        | 27.02.05 |Switzerland |Swiss        |  $427,966|
|personal    |          |            |Humanitarian |          |
|            |          |            |Aid          |          |
|------------+----------+------------+-------------+----------|
|Food aid    | 28.02.05 |Japan       |World Food   |   $14,119|
|            |          |            |Programme    |          |
|------------+----------+------------+-------------+----------|
|Humanitarian| 17.03.05 |United      |Office for   |  $426,000|
|coordination|          |States      |Coordination |          |
|            |          |            |Humanitarian |          |
|            |          |            |Affairs      |          |
|------------+----------+------------+-------------+----------|
|Humanitarian| 24.03.05 |Canada      |Office for   |  $161,290|
|coordination|          |            |Coordination |          |
|            |          |            |Humanitarian |          |
|            |          |            |Affairs      |          |
|------------+----------+------------+-------------+----------|
|TOTAL:      |          |            |             |$1,181,917|
|------------+----------+------------+-------------+----------|


Readers requiring more detailed information on funding of the 
humanitarian operation in the North Caucasus are encouraged to visit the 
FTS using the following link: 
http://ocha.unog.ch/fts/reports/reportlist.asp?section=CE&record_ID=656.

FTS is an on-line, real-time, searchable database of humanitarian needs 
and contributions and an instrument for analysis of humanitarian aid 
flows.

Produced by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
(OCHA)
Tel: (7095) 956-6405
Fax: (7095) 956-6355
e-mail: rezanov@un.org

Please send your contributions for the next bulletin to OCHA by 5 May 
2005

For more information, please contact us directly or refer to: 
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