The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) began working in the Russian Federation in 1997, when it assisted displaced from the first Chechen war through social programs and provision of micro-credits.
In 2000, in response to the humanitarian crisis following the second Chechen war, DRC carried out a major relief operation, distributing food to up to 200,000 displaced people from Chechnya to Ingushetia on a regular basis.
In 2002, DRC added projects in livelihoods and housing, then by 2006 began scaling down the relief assistance as the situation moved into a recovery phase.
Based on needs assessments carried out through 2008 a new three year strategy was adopted by the end of 2008. That strategy recognizes improved security and living conditions in the region, and a need for assistance to bridge the gap between emergency and longer term development issues.
The DRC North Caucasus’ programme (DRC NC) carries out a large assistance operation in partnership with the United Nations (UNHCR), the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO) and the government of Norway (through Norwegian Refugee Council), Sweden (SIDA), Ireland (DCI), as well as the European Commission (EC).
DRC NC works closely together with the authorities on site and carries out activities in food security, registration, mine risk education, NGO support and physical and socio-economic rehabilitation in Chechnya, Ingushetia and North Ossetia.
Donors
- DCI, Development Cooperation Ireland
- EC, European Commission
- ECHO, European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office
- NRC, Norwegian Refugee Council
- SIDA, Swedish International Development Agency
- UNHCR, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
