Azerbaijan - DHA-1/2: 19 August - 1 October 1996
Azerbaijan - DHA-1/2: 19 August - 1 October 1996
DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS
Situation Report from the DHA Coordinator in AZERBAIJAN
No. 1 and 2
Covering the Period 19 August - 1 October 1996
HIGHLIGHTS
Joint UNDHA/UNHCR high-level mission arrives in Azerbaijan
for discussions on Humanitarian Issues
DHA visits Fizuli region and in particular, the town of
Horadiz, the location the Government of Azerbaijan has
selected for the UNDP/WB reconstruction project.
New UNDHA Humanitarian Affairs Officer and UNHCR Head of
Liaison Office arrive in Baku.
Contributions to DHA's Humanitarian Appeal (1995/96) for
Azerbaijan are only 31.2 percent of the requirements.
1. Joint High-Level Mission of UNHCR/DHA: UNHCR Assistant
High Commissioner, Mr. Sergio De Mello, Mr. John Horekens,
UNHCR Bureau Chief for Europe and CIS, and Mr. Rashid
Khalikov, Chief of Europe and Latin American Sections in
UHDHA- CED New York arrived in Azerbaijan on 9 September
for discussions with President Aliyev. The mission pledged
to continue humanitarian support for the displaced and
refugee population and proposed humanitarian assistance in
the agorno-Karabakh within the framework of the OSCE Minsk
Group. The mission also visited the IDP camp in Barda to
see first hand the situation in the ex-Turkish camp. A copy
of the DHA mission report is available at UNDHA Office in
Baku.
2. DHA accompanies UNHCR Senior Desk Officer for Europe,
Mr. Fernando Protti- Alvarado, on a field trip to the
Fizuli region. The purpose of the visit was to observe
UNHCR funded rehabilitation projects in the region as well
as to map out a strategy plan for future UNHCR assistance
in the area. The team visited the town of Horadiz, which
the Government has selected for reconstruction activities.
DHA will participate in discussions on inter-agency
cooperation and strategies concerning the WB/UNDP project
in the Fizuli area.
3. The reporting period saw the arrival of Jim O'Neill as
the new UNDHA Humanitarian Affairs Office in Baku as well
as Ms. Ann Howarth-Wiles as the Head of UNHCR Liaison
Office-Baku.
OVERALL HUMANITARIAN SITUATION
Uncertainty in regards to project funding for the various
International and National Organisations continues to be
the most pressing issue faced in the humanitarian sector.
ECHO has revealed that they will shortly begin phasing out
of emergency funding activities and by April 1997 could be
ready to hand over the task of development project funding
to TASCIS.
Funding difficulties are especially pertinent in the
shelter sector as winter rapidly approaches and only
minimal winterization projects are presently being carried
out. It is feared that the vulnerable population will once
again suffer a long and difficult winter. The involved
agencies, UNHCR, Relief International (RI), International
Rescue Committee (IRC), CARE and Hayat are performing
exceptionally well in their construction and rehabilitation
programmes but more and timely funding will be required in
order to adequately improve the situation.
With the previously mentioned funding cutbacks, several
International Agencies will be completing various projects
at the end of October, and presently are unclear on their
future presence in Azerbaijan. Much anticipation is being
given to the recent USAID strategy team visit and the
possible funding outcome of their assessments.
The issue of the Ex-Turkish camps has also become a
concern. The deteriorating state of tents as well as the
overall camp management has resulted in a series of
requests from the Government of Armenia (GoA) to all
International Organisations for assistance. DHA made a site
visit to these two camps on 24 September, and found them to
be managing reasonably well, albeit, at a reduced level.
CARE (Agcabedi) and World Vision(Barda) have assumed the
responsibility of the food distribution and have begun a
re-registration of the camp residents in order to try and
eliminate well documented instances of fraud in the
distribution of humanitarian assistance at both camps. Food
distributions are scheduled to occur in early October. As
far as the camps health situation, RI will send their
mobile health clinic, on a bi- monthly basis to the camps.
SECTORS
FOOD AID
Owing to the lack of resources, most agencies will be
scaling down their food assistance programmes in the near
future, while attempting to target their aid at more
defined vulnerable groups. WFP has an adequate food supply,
both in country and in the pipeline, to carry out their
projects and those of their implementing partners until
June 1997. WFP initiated a revised distribution method,
adopted by the relevant agencies , which concentrates on
"food per person" as opposed to the previous distribution
of "family parcels". It is felt that by distributing in
this manner, food aid will be more controlled and target
beneficiaries will be better met as well as saving
considerable amounts of food which may have wound up in the
market.
The GoA, has declared in a decree made in August, 1996 that
use of the ration card, commonly referred to as form "No.
9", will no longer be accepted for receiving humanitarian
assistance. This form was originally used as a replacement
for those citizens who had lost their passports while
fleeing the conflict areas. The government rightfully
feels, that the misuse and duplication of this card has
contributed to the negative international response to the
needs of Azerbaijan, and is attempting to make the
receiving of humanitarian assistance more controllable. In
its place a "new" and improved form No. 9" will be issued.
The initial "new forms" were made with thin paper. WFP
feels that forms printed on this paper could be easily
duplicated and has offered to provide a thicker,
cardboard-type paper for its printing. It has been decided
that the cardboard forms would be used uniquely in food
distribution, while the thin-paper forms would be used for
obtaining other types of assistance. One of the major
problems encountered with the form change is that clear and
concise information concerning the usage has not yet been
initiated by the Government and relayed to the outlying
areas.
WFP continues to emphasize the need for a country-wide
registration of IDPs/refugees in order to support the
computerization of these figures which has already begun in
some regions.
The IFRC has launched a programme that will provide food
items to 7,000 patients in more than 80 hospitals in
Azerbaijan.
HEALTH
Several agencies are beginning to become involved in the
reproductive health field. Most initial activities will be
small scale and at selected regions. They will be geared to
both IDPs and general populations. Meetings have occurred
with these agencies in order to share resources and discuss
future programmes. A WHO consultant visited Azerbaijan in
September to assist in the establishment of family planning
and reproductive health programmes in Ganja and Sumgayit.
The consultant conducted a workshop in these towns to
familiarize gynecologists with modern methods of family
planning.
August saw a major restructuring in the Ministry of Health
(MoH). There was a considerable reduction in MoH staff and
several Departments were integrated, notably the SES and
the Epidemiological Department merged to form one
countrywide unit. The MoH stress that these moves are more
related to economical reasons rather a major Health Reform.
There is a plan for a further reduction, estimated at 30-40
percent in staff cuts and the closure of up to 70,000
hospital beds.
While there are still no private medical institutions in
Azerbaijan, the MoH has established a system of "payment
for services" in the hospitals. Full implementation of
these charges has not yet been finalized.
Owing to timely intervention by IFRC and MSF-Holland,
malaria cases have decreased. In August, 839 cases were
reported, considerably lower than in June and July. The
MoH reports that up to 10,000 cases, mostly in the IDP
camps of Imishli, Bilasuvar, and Sabirabad have been
registered this year.
Outbreaks of Anthrax, an acute bacterial infection that
occurs most frequently in herbivorous animals, have been
reported in Azerbaijan. Sales of lamb were suspended in
several regions, especially in Agcabedi and Imishli, the
principle areas for sheep production. A campaign to
vaccinate the most "at risk", was conducted by the MoH.
These would include butchers, wool handlers, and others
involved in this occupation.
No cases of Polio have been registered this year in
Azerbaijan, evidence of UNICEF's successful MECACAR
campaign. In 1993 there were 69 cases, 16 in 1994, and 5
in 1995.
UNICEF and the MoH will conduct a country wide diphtheria
immunization campaign during the month of October. The
target group of approximately 4.5 million, will include
children and adults.
The findings of a joint UNICEF/WHO investigation revealed
an increase of chronic exhaustion in children and the
elderly as well as a high level, (20 percent), of iodine
deficiency. As a result, a two year project on the
development of health and nutrition systems in Azerbaijan
will began in September.
ICRC will continue to operate its orthopaedic centre
first opened in 1995. Despite an ongoing cease fire, the
number of mine related incidents are rising in the front
line areas.
SHELTER/NON-FOOD
The focus in the shelter sector continues to be on those
families living in the most extreme conditions, i.e. rail
wagons, tents and dugouts. In addition, the arrival of
colder weather helps to illustrate the need for
improvements and/or winterization of public buildings,
although difficulties in project funding have suspended
or downsized many projects.
The UNHCR funded, single-dwelling limestone shelter
construction project continues to operate, but often, due
to funding problems, work is delayed. Despite the delays,
August saw the completion of 92 dwellings with an
additional 171 started, for a cumulative total of 256
completed dwellings. RI, the main implementing partner
for UNHCR in limestone shelter construction, will be
finishing in October, construction of 150 houses in
Saatly for railway wagon IDPs. Hayat, a local NGO, has
completed 40 limestone units in Saatly designated for
families living in extremely difficult conditions in the
dug-outs. IRC has negotiated contracts and procured
materials for up to 800 mud brick shelters. They will
build 50 of these for families in the worse conditions at
the ex-Turkish camp in Agcabedi following agreements with
the camps administer, the Executive Committee of
Agcabedi. CARE is also on schedule with their mud-brick
shelter programme, with 1,100 out of a target number of
1,200, dwellings nearing completion.
Public Building Rehabilitation (PBR) is being carried out
by several organisations throughout the country. These
projects range from rehabilitation of water and sanitary
systems in medical facilities and children institutions,
repair of school buildings, construction of partitions in
rail way wagons housing IDP families, and the traditional
PBR work in large structures housing IDPs.
The GoA, reluctant initially, to approve PBR projects in
Baku or Sumgaiyt, have relaxed their position and have
begun to back projects in these areas.
INCOME GENERATION
There is a growing interest among the agencies in Income
Generation projects (IG). Projects as diverse as sheep
raising, distribution of small business kits, women
sewing collectives, small business loans/grants, and
greenhouses or other small scale agriculture projects are
only a few of the areas covered. There is a tendency by
some agencies to try and incorporate with shelter
programmes, an idea of "community building" via IG
projects in their various settlements. One of the more
notable IG projects has been the IFRC's IDP "construction
team". After gaining experience with construction
activities in the camps, several work crews have emerged
and have obtained building contracts in UNHCR and ECHO
shelter projects. Another successful IFRC project has
been selling vegetables grown by IDPs to the Hyatt
Regency Hotel. ICRC has received 900 hectares in the
Fizuli area project designed to sow and subsequently
harvest 800-1000 MTs of wheat. Of this total, 400 MTs
will be returned to the ICRC for distribution to
vulnerable in the near by front- line region. Next year
they intend to also grow vegetables and potatoes.
TACIS has opened an office in Sabirabad where NGOs and
any individuals can obtain advice in the different ways
of income generation.
It is anticipated that one of the best ways to bridge the
transition process of relief to development will be in
the creation of more IG projects. In order to inform the
population about the various projects and to provide an
opportunity to see finished products, the GoA in
collaboration with NGOs is to hold an exhibition sometime
in mid- October.
CONTACTS
DHA made introductory visits to all of the UN Agencies
and most of the International and National Agencies in
September. In addition a visits was also made to the
office of Mr. Izzat Rustamov, Deputy Prime Minister in
charge of International Humanitarian Assistance. October
will bring about additional and more detailed discussions
with the organisations, both Baku and field based.
CONTRIBUTIONS
As of the end of September, the DHA office in Azerbaijan
has been informed of contributions of US$ 8,343,841
representing 31.2 percent of the total requested, US$
32,966,638, in the 1996/97 Consolidated Appeal.
ANNEX:
RECENT GENERAL DEVELOPMENTS
HUMANITARIAN AID
A visit from 5 US Congressmen in August stir emotions for
increased US assistance in Azerbaijan in 1997. The
Congressmen passed an appeal to members of the
sub-committee on Foreign Operations in the support for
the draft of legislation for the funding for humanitarian
assistance to Azerbaijan by NGOs and private volunteer
organisations for 1997.
American Oil Company (AMOCO) and "AMERICARES" have
provided medical supplies (Kidney dialysis equipment) to
the Oilmans hospital in Baku. Previously the same two
have provided assistance in immunization programmes
(Nakhchivan) and medical supplies for children in camps.
The Russian oil company, LUKoil, has established a
philanthropic society within their organisation. It will
provide assistance mainly, but not exclusively to Russian
citizens residing in Azerbaijan. In addition, assistance
will be provided to the Orthodox Church, Slav Family, and
to the individual needy citizens. They have delivered
stockings to an elderly home and plan on assisting war
invalids in the future.
The Ministry of Social Welfare has announced that there
are 1,200,000 pensioners and 250,000 invalids in
Azerbaijan.
AGRICULTURE
60 hectares of sugar beet seed have been planted in 5
regions of Azerbaijan for the first time. It is estimated
that next August harvest will yield 60 MTs, enough to
cover the current need. Harvesting of sugar beet began in
September. It is hoped that the yield will be 40,000 MTs.
This will be the fifth harvest of sugar beets in
Azerbaijan. The crop is growing at a steady rate from the
initial season, in 1992 with a net harvest of 16.400 MTs.
128,100 MTs of cotton have been picked thus far in
Azerbaijan. The state order is for 310,000 MTs. Many IDPS
are involved in this harvest earning 300 manats per kilo.
According to the Ministry of Bread Products, Azerbaijan
has purchased 257,000 MTs of grain this year, with
179,000 MTs being wheat and 77,000 MTs of barley. This is
an increase of 22,000 MTs over last year. The Ministry
claims it requires a minimum of 1.1 million MTs of grain
per year. Preparations for the autumn sowing is
continuing, 635,000 hectares (520,000 for wheat and
115,000 of barley) will be planted.
On 26 August, the price of bread and all bread products
increased by 100 Manats. This follows a 20 percent
increase in July. In 1996, each month has seen a rise in
price.
The projected mixed vegetable harvest this year is
150,000 MTs. This includes 45,000 MTs of tomatoes, 5,000
MTs of cabbage, and 3,650 MTs of onions. Thus far 56,000
MTs or 37 percent of the projection have been harvested.
The Minister of Agriculture, stated that of the total
areas of land in the Republic, 8,641,000 hectares,
3,864,000 (45 percent) hectares will remain in Government
hands, while 2,866,000 (33 percent) hectares will be
transferred to municipal property and the remaining
1,911,000 (22 percent) will be privatized. A list of 3.8
million people who will be eligible to receive these
private lands has been compiled.
The arid summer has affected the quantity and quality of
nut production. Mostly grown in the northern regions, an
area of 16,895 hectares is usually planted. Last years
yield was 10,336 MTs and this years it was expected to be
close to 11,700 MTs, but the Ministry of Agriculture
(MoAG) predicts a sharp decrease in the yield owing to
the arid summer.
As of mid-September, 48,000 MTs of grapes have been
harvested. This figure represents 32 percent of the
planned yield. Azeri scientists have announced they have
developed a new type of pomegranate. It is more
resistant, has a larger yield capacity, and contains 6
percent more sugar content than ordinary ones.
PRIVATIZATION
A World Bank Mission visited Azerbaijan with the goal of
speeding up their 20 million Dollar project of
establishing five pilot farmer economies, by reorganising
the collective and state farms of the Uchar, Barda,
Lenkoran, Salyan, and Khachmas regions.
581 livestock farms and 211 sheep and goat farms have
been privatized. A total of 84,000 heads of cattle and
286,000 sheep and goats are kept in these farms.
According to the Minister of Agriculture, there are 2,016
livestock farms in Azerbaijan and the future plans are
for only 25 to be maintained by the state for breeding
purposes.
There are 16 private educational institutions functioning
in Azerbaijan. They includes 3 colleges, 13 Universities
and Institutes of higher learning.
ECONOMY
September 1 exchange rates,1 US$= 4,240 AzM
September 30 1 US$= 4,215 AzM
On 1 October, state employees in the education, cultural,
mass media, health, sport and social sectors will receive
a 40 percent salary increase.
As of 1 January, 1997, there will be an excise mark
placed on all cigarettes and alcohol sold in Azerbaijan.
In addition, sales of these items will require the
payment of an excise tax. The estimated cost of the
excise mark is 90 Manat (approximately 1.3 US cents).
On 13 September, the Russian Government lifted the
restrictions for rail traffic from Azerbaijan to the
Russian Federation via Daghestan. The resolution (No. 94)
issued in December, 1994 as a result of the conflict in
Chechnya. Initially, only cargo traffic will be
permitted, but talks in resuming passenger traffic are
underway and are expected to be finalized in the near
future. In addition, Azerbaijan has been offered to join
the "Bishkek Agreement", which offers visa free crossing
of borders by citizens of the CIS. Azerbaijan has 2,215
kilometers of rail, 30,000 wagons and 800 passenger
carriages, along with a work force of over 50,000.
The port of Baku is estimating an increase of cargo
circulation in 1997 to reach 8 million MTs following a
"four sided agreement" with Central Asia countries. Thus
far this year, cargo traffic, 5232,000 MTs between Baku
and Central Asia is 16 percent lower than last year. This
has been attributed to the Chechyna conflict.
Arrangements have been finalized for the first stage of
container-truck traffic on the route, Poti-Tbilisi-Baku.
Transcaucasian railways or "TRACECA", an EU funded
project. The projects aims is to increase container
traffic along the rail corridor with an aim to market
this service to Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Set to begin
in October, the initial trains will carry 20-30
container-trucks per week. Following the visit of
President Nazarbayev of Kazakhastan, 19-20 September, a
number of bilateral agreements were signed with
Azerbaijan. These include: cooperation in the transport
sector, oil and gas industries, sport and culture and
various economic issues, as well as discussing issues
involved in the sectoral division of the Caspian Sea.
ENERGY
It is estimated that within two years Azerbaijan should
achieve self sufficiency with natural gas. Between 12-14
billion cubic meters of gas are required each year. In
1995, Azerbaijan produced 6.5 billion cm, but with the
ongoing oil exploration as well as the growing interest
in this resource. The Republic is estimated to have 214
billion cubic meters in both onshore and offshore
locations.
January-August, 1996 oil and gas extraction figures are
as follows: Oil- 6,069,9000 MTs (offshore oil-5,032,300
MTs, onshore oil-1,037,600 MTs), Gas-4.233 billion cubic
meters (offshore gas-4.072 billion cm, onshore
gas-160,900 million cubic meters. These figures are
slightly down from 1995 extraction figures for the same
period.
The state gas company, Azerigas, has put aside 200
million cm of gas for the winter months. The usual winter
requirement for Azerbaijan are 500 million cm. Because of
this shortage, the cities of Baku, Sumgait, Ganja and a
few selected regions will be supplied with gas.
The President of Azerbaijan has liquidated the State Fuel
Committee (SFC), and has declared that all kerosene sale
stations and auto filling stations would be handed over
to the State Property Committee and will subsequently be
privatized. The other remaining SFC enterprises would be
handed to SOCAR (State Oil Company of Azerbaijan
Republic).
The President of the AIOC (Azerbaijan of International
Operating Company) estimates the cost for repairing the
existing pipelines crossing Georgia and Russia to be US$
70 million while the construction costs for the western
pipeline (through Georgia) would be US$ 275 million.
MISCELLANEOUS
Two major world airlines, KLM and British Airways, began
service to Baku in September. KLM will fly
Amsterdam-Baku-Teheran while BA flies direct London-Baku
three times a week.
September saw the arrival of new Ambassadors for Turkey
and Israel and the opening of the Argentinian Embassy.
================================================
United Nations Office in Baku, Azerbaijan
Mr. James ONeill
Tel.: (0099412) 98 98 88
Fax:(0099412) 98 32 35
Complex Emergency Division (CED) - New York
Mr. Kazuhide Kuroda
Tel.: (1 212) 963.5713
Fax:(1 212) 963.3630
Inter-Agency Support Branch (IASB) - Geneva
Mr. Arjun Katoch
Ms. Katarina Toll
Tel.: (41 22) 788.6381
Fax:(41 22) 788.6386
Press To Contact - (DHA-Geneva)
Ms. Madeleine Moulin-Acevedo
Tel.: (41 22) 917.2856
Fax:(41 22) 917.0023
Telex: 414242 DHA CH
E-Mail:dhagva at dha.unicc.org