Syrian repatriates face main problem with employment, "Ochag" activists report

According to activists of the NGO "Ochag" (Hearth) and volunteers involved in rendering assistance to immigrants, the main problems of repatriates from Syria in Kabardino-Balkaria are the language barrier and the problems with employment. Human rights defender Valery Khatazhukov believes that Syrian Circassians should be granted Russian citizenship by simplified procedure.

On December 27, the authorities of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR) announced the increase in the number of immigrants from Syria. According to the authorities, at present, 1451 citizens of Syria stay in Kabardino-Balkaria.

According to Yali Kat, an activist of the "Ochag", a regional public organization of assistance to Syrian repatriates, in late December, the Institute of Advanced Training and Retraining of the Kabardino-Balkarian State University (KBSU) had a free course of Russian and Kabardino-Circassian language for repatriates.

The activist has noted that all children of repatriates go to schools and pre-school institutions, and almost all the books were given to them for free.

At present, nine families accommodated at the sanatorium "Terek" and one family accommodated at the sanatorium "Elbrus" are in need of housing. Besides, some families are accommodated in Nalchik at rented apartments or at their relatives' places, reports Yali Kat.

Volunteer Marina has noted that almost all repatriates need help. Meanwhile, they try to improve their financial situation and to run small businesses.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.