CHECHNYA

The conflict between the Russian Federation and Chechnya has claimed over 100,000 lives, and left towns and cities in ruins. More than 350,000 people fled the country. Those remaining in Chechnya endure wretched living conditions, while those in IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps fare no better.

Hundreds of thousands of Chechens sought refuge in the neighbouring Republic of Ingushetia. Four years on, the IDPs endure squalid, overcrowded conditions in temporary settlements, tent camps or with host families.

They lack basic food, medication, clean water and sanitation, and endure severe winter temperatures.

The authorities started closing down the IDP camps in Ingushetia in late 2003. The displaced Chechens either move to another camp or settlement (which may also be closed soon), or return to Chechnya - despite the continuing violence and insecurity.

Accommodation for most families returning to war-torn Chechnya consists of Temporary Accommodation Centres (TACs). With the republic's infrastructure in ruins, health and education services are limited, and housing standards vary greatly across the TACs. Unemployment in Chechnya runs as high as 85%, and the vast majority of the population lives below the poverty line.

Islamic Relief (IR) was one of the first British aid agencies to help the Chechens, and has been working in the Northern Caucasus since 1995. IR provides food, clean water, shelter and primary medical care, helping people affected by the ongoing conflict.

IR now works in villages across the Nazran region in Ingushetia and works in and around Grozny. IR has provided food assistance to displaced Chechens in Ingushetia in partnership with WFP.

Food parcels were distributed in villages in the Nazran region and the Satsita camp. Islamic Relief's regular food parcel distributions reached over 3,000 people in the Bart and Sputnik camps in February, one month before the camps were closed.

IR continued to implement its complementary food programme in Temporary Accomodation Centres in Grozny. Families residing in 7 Temporary Accommodation Centres were provided with food parcels and hygienic sets

IR also continued to provide food assistance to over 30,000 Chechens in rural parts of Grozny together with the food packs, provided by WFP

Over 21,000 primary school and kindergarten children in Grozny, Grozny Rural, and Gudermes in Chechnya benefited from IR’s joint programme with the WFP. The children were fed with a daily meal of rice porridge. The resources were supplied to the schools for meal preparation.

In February 2004, Islamic Relief implemented the seasonal Qurbani programme, and distributed fresh meat, sausages and food parcels to thousands of displaced Chechens in the Bart and Sputnik camps in Ingushetia, and thirteen Temporary Accommodation Centres in Chechnya.

Islamic Relief's clinic in Alina Camp had to shut down, when the camp was closed- after 2 years of providing vital healthcare to displaced families. Sputnik camp clinic treated almost 1500 people before it too closed down when the camp was dismantled