Date: Wed, 9 Aug 95 11:34:51 EDT
From: incident@vita.org (Emergency Information Administrator)
Subject: Russian Federation: Chechnya DHA
UNITED NATIONS INTER-AGENCY HUMANITARIAN PROGRAMME
FOR PERSONS DISPLACED AS A RESULT OF THE
EMERGENCY SITUATION IN CHECHNYA, RUSSIAN FEDERATION
SITUATION REPORT OF THE DHA COORDINATOR
Based on field reports and covering the period
4-27 July 1995
HIGHLIGHTS
-Peace negotiations between Chechen insurgents and the Russian
Federation Government, conducted under OSCE auspices, are
continuing.
- The "Update to the United Nations Consolidated Inter-Agency
Appeal for Persons Displaced as a Result of the Emergency
Situation in Chechnya, Russian Federation" has been published
and discussed at donors meetings held in Moscow and Geneva.
GENERAL
The peace negotiations mentioned above are proceeding. The
cease-fire is generally holding, although sporadic acts of
firing continue to be reported. On the Chechnya-Daghestan
border, these consisted of rocket and grenade firing.
According to NGO reports, a significant area of farmland has
become unusable because of mine presence. Peasants in this
area are reporting sheep and cattle killed or injured daily by
mines.
Prospects for a peaceful military and political settlement ebb
and flow on a day-to-day basis. Russian negotiators are
reportedly preparing two separate draft agreements to present
to their Chechen counterparts when peace talks resume in Grozny
on 29 July. According to the head of the Russian delegation,
Nationalities Minister V. Mikhailov, the first agreement covers
military and political issues while the second deals with
political issues alone. It was subsequently reported that a
military agreement was signed on 29 July. Despite expressions
of optimism on both sides, and indications that both
delegations are prepared to make concessions on the issue of
the political status of Chechnya, internal strife among the
different political groups within Chechnya has been growing.
This has aggravated the general situation in the region and has
provoked armed clashes including a brief but intense firefight
in the city centre of Grozny.
The "Update to the United Nations Consolidated Inter-Agency
Appeal for Persons Displaced as a result of the Emergency
Situation in Chechnya, Russian Federation" was launched in
Moscow, Geneva and New York on 19 July. It was released at a
press conference conducted by the DHA Coordinator in Moscow
also on 19 July, and it was brought to the attention of donors
at a meeting held in Moscow the same day. It was discussed at
a donors meeting held in Geneva on 27 July which was chaired
jointly by DHA, UNHCR and ICRC. At the meeting, it was
highlighted that a shortfall of about USD 5 million remains to
be covered for humanitarian programmes under the Appeal. In
addition, USD 2 million have been identified by WFP as
necessary to stockpile food for the winter. It was underlined
that WFP will need in-kind or cash contributions before
mid-September 1995 in order to be able to implement the food
stockpiling programme.
The Update maintains the original appealed-for amount of USD 25
million. Allowing for the late arrival of contributions, it
extends the original programme to cover a 12 month period up to
31 December 1995.
Within the total figure of USD 25 million, the Update provides
for some redistribution of requirements among sectors, to allow
for an increased requirement for bulk food in the four winter
months, a requirement for winter clothing, and a requirement
for a package of returnee assistance.
For the third time since the inception of the programme in
January 1995, a serious air safety incident occurred. Two
United Nations staff members escaped when the control systems
on their airliner failed. A wing broke off in the crash
landing. In one earlier incident, the control system also
failed but the aircraft made an emergency landing without
further damage. In another incident, passengers were repeatedly
boarded and disembarked while the crew attempted to start a
malfunctioning engine. They eventually abandoned the attempt.
TARGET POPULATION
In inter-agency discussions leading up to the preparation of
the Update, and as reflected in that document, the total number
of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Chechnya now in
Daghestan, Ingushetia and North Ossetia was estimated at
152,000; at the same time, for planning purposes, it was
estimated that, allowing for a further return of IDPs to
Chechnya from now until the end of the year, the IDPs most in
need would number 118,000.
The difference between the above figures and the much higher
figures reported by the local authorities is explained largely
by the fact that a significant number of IDPs are moving
backwards and forwards across the border, but are spending much
of their time in Chechnya.
The spot checks conducted by UNHCR field officers have led to
the figure of 152,000. A more accurate figure will emerge as
the distribution of wheat flour described below is carried out.
INTER-AGENCY COORDINATION
In Ingushetia and North Ossetia the joint logistics system,
which involves inter-agency management and operation of a
warehouse and related transport system, is now fully
operational. (It was earlier reported that the system was
operational in Daghestan.)
DELIVERY OF HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
Shelter, Water and Sanitation
In Daghestan, 75 of the shelter, water and sanitation projects
are now completed, with 13 others in various stages of
progress.
Food
The ship carrying 3,000 MTs of wheat flour donated by the
European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) arrived in
Novorossiysk in the latter part of June. The unloading of
1,800 MTs destined for Ingushetia and North Ossetia was
completed by WFP on 28 June and this part of the cargo was sent
by rail to Vladikavkaz. The ship brought 1,200 MTs destined
for Daghestan to Makhachkala port on 8 July; unloading and
transport to the warehouse in Kizilyurt was completed by WFP on
18 July and the cargo was released by customs on 20 July. WFP
provided a port captain for this operation.
In Ingushetia and North Ossetia distribution arrangements were
made more complex by the continuing tension between Ingushetia
and North Ossetia; this entailed the use of drivers who are
neither Ingush nor Ossetian, and the hiring by WFP of three
Ingush monitors for service in Ingushetia and one Ossetian
monitor for work in North Ossetia.
Distribution of the wheat flour is now proceeding in Daghestan,
Ingushetia and North Ossetia on the basis of 4.5 kilogrammes
per person per month. With an average family size of five
persons, the typical family receives 25 kilogrammes, so that
two families can share a 50 kilogramme sack.
In Daghestan, monitoring is carried out by UNHCR field staff,
the WFP logistics officer and four food monitors hired by WFP.
The NGO Equilibre is handling distribution to collective
centres in Khasavyurt.
Health
Two UNICEF-supported vaccination teams have completed their
work in Daghestan. In Ingushetia, a staff member of the
National Cold Store has completed his training in vaccine and
cold chain management.
A WHO tuberculosis specialist has completed a mission to
Ingushetia, North Ossetia and Daghestan.
Domestic Needs Items
The distribution by UNHCR of domestic needs items is
continuing. With a view to return to school, UNICEF is
distributing to children clothing, sports items, and writing
and drawing materials.
Community Services
UNICEF is continuing the training of trainers and monitors in
trauma relief and child care. A survey has determined that at
present approximately 10 percent of the IDP children are
manifesting at least two of the symptoms commonly used to
identify trauma victims; an earlier survey had reported 15
percent.
FINANCIAL UPDATE
In addition to the pledges and contributions announced in the
Update to the Inter-Agency Appeal, which totalled USD 17.4
million as of 30 June against the Appeal programmes, UNHCR
reported in July that it had received a contribution of USD
98,718 from the Dutch NGO Stichting Vluchteling for multisectoral
assistance to IDPs.
Outside the Appeal framework, pledges and contributions reported
to DHA since 1 July are as follows:
- ICRC has received USD 605,789 from Sweden and USD
55,008 from Denmark;
- IOM has received USD 235,518 from Switzerland for the
evacuation of vulnerable people from Chechnya, which is part of
IOM's appeal issued on 19 January 1995; IOM has also reported a
contribution of USD 220,000 from the US Government in support of
IDPs inside Chechnya;
- The EC has provided the following contributions for
medicines, medical supplies, parts for basic water supply and
special foods: USD 1,342,282 for ICRC; USD 2,348,993 for
MSF-Belgium; USd 939,579 for MSF-France; 2,174,497 for Merlin-UK;
USD 1,073,826 for the French NGO Equilibre; USD 268,456 for Feed
the Children-UK; and USD 402,685 for EC coordination and
monitoring.
==================================
UNITED NATIONS OFFICE IN THE
RUSSIAN FEDERATION - Moscow
Mr. Christopher Carpenter
Tel.: (7 095) 284.3220/973.1893
Fax: (7 095) 973.1960
COMPLEX EMERGENCY DIVISION (CED) - New York
Mr. Gerhard Putman-Cramer
Tel.: (1 212) 963.2406
Fax: (1 212) 963.1312
COMPLEX EMERGENCY SUPPORT UNIT(CESU)-Geneva
Mr. Paul Hebert / Ms. Katarina Toll
Tel.: (41 22) 788.6381 / 788.7021
Fax: (41 22) 788.6386 / 788.6387
Press to contact: Ms. Moulin-Acevedo
Tel.: (41 22) 917.2856
Fax: (41 22) 917.0023
Telex: 414242 DHA CH
Internet E-mail:dhagva at un.org
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