NGO plans to build housing for IDPs

A meeting of internally displaced persons (IDPs) arranged by the non-governmental organization Aist (Stork) took place in Stavropol on August 8.

The organization was founded a year ago to help migrants in Stavropol Territory. Participants in the meeting discussed Aist's idea of helping IDPs with housing. Activists of the organization plan to build a compact settlement for IDPs not far from Stavropol. Money for the construction of the cottages is planned to be partly obtained from the migration service and partly from the regional government as well as from local businessmen and foreign charitable foundations. Besides, the organization is going to register a privately owned enterprise. Gains from its activity will also be spent on the house-building.

From 100 to 200 thousand IDPs live in Stavropol Territory, by estimates of different experts. Approximatel 80 thousand people have been granted IDP status since 1991. Less than 10 thousand people are registered on the books of the regional migration service. Approximately 1 thousand families of them (one out of every three IDPs) are recognized as being in need of housing.