While the security situation in Chechnya has improved over the last years, the situation in Ingushetia shows a different pattern where daily occurring security incidents remain a threat to regional stability.
As part of DRC NC’s overall objective of promoting the process of peace and tolerance in the North Caucasus, assistance programmes has for years been targeting vulnerable populations inside Ingushetia.
As a result of the improved security situation in Chechnya, the vast majority of the app. 250.000 displaced during the first Chechen war (1994-1996) and app. 220.000 from the second Chechen war (1999-2002) has now returned to Chechnya or integrated within Ingushetia.
Still, more than 10.000 IDPs from the second Chechen war remain in the DRC NC database as of April 30, 2009, many being particularly vulnerable (including pregnant and lactating women, children under the age of three, the disabled, elderly people without adequate social support, orphans and children from single parent homes).
DRC’s programme in Ingushetia has gone through a long transition period from emergency to recovery.
DRC remains involved in shelter solutions to displaced from Chechnya and Progorodny district, while the programmatic focus is on increasing self-reliance of vulnerable populations and organizations representing their voice.
Acknowledgeing the need for capacity building of local actors, DRC therefore works closely with the authorities in NC and local non-governmental organizations (LNGOs) and other socially active community based groups.
Further, DRC continues to operate an Information Center in Nazran, providing legal consultations and assistance with registration. The process of registration is a core component of DRC’s presence as it constitutes the first and most important step in the process of providing protection and assistance. DRC remains the main international agency in the North Caucasus in this respect, providing most other NGOs with data and statistics to use for beneficiary selection and to obtain an overview of the humanitarian situation.
