Caucasian NGO network recommends the Caucasian authorities to deal with the refugees' problems

Today, the Caucasus still faces the consequences of numerous conflicts which brought about complicated problems of displacement and migration and a destructive socio-economic situation. Several conflicts are in a deadlock. More than one and a half million refugees and IDP in the Caucasus are still hoping for their problems to be solved, either by integration in the local community or by returning home.

According to the information of the CRINGO network Coordination Council which was sent to the "Caucasian Knot" editorial office, a large number of refugees and IDP from the Caucasus live in collective centers or camps, former administrative buildings, hotels, kindergartens, railway wagons, tents or agricultural constructions, etc., in inhuman conditions.

For instance, according to the data of CRINGO network Coordination Council, 19,000 refugees and IDP in need of improvement of their dwelling conditions have been registered in North Ossetia - Alania. In recent years, the migrants have been allocated land plots for construction in 6 districts of the republic, and material assistance in the amount of 1,000,000 rubles has been granted. The Danish Council on Refugees has built 260 houses for migrants and such construction is going to be continued. The UNHCR has built settlement Komsomolskoye, cottages for refugees have been allocated in the village of Maiskoye.

The total number of refugees and IDP registered in South Ossetia is 12,000 people. International humanitarian organizations, in common effort with the government of the RSO which allocates land plots for housing construction, machinery and qualified workers, have built 1700 houses for refugees.

35,000 migrants from Chechnya are registered at present in Ingushetia. A program of paying compensation for destroyed houses and lost property has been launched. In 2005, 8,000 out of 88,000 applications for compensation were granted, which came up to $US 13 million. Representatives of authorities asked the IDP to make a choice between returning back to Chechnya and moving from the camps into alternative dwelling on the territory of Ingushetia. 23% of IDP have chosen the second option.

In Chechnya, 800,000 people need assistance. In 2005, the government continued opening temporary dwelling centers in the territory of Chechnya, however, their useful area is limited while the living conditions do not meet standards. The government has recognized the necessity to improve the process of granting applications. The provision of adequate dwelling in Chechnya is regarded as a key element of any process of normalization in the republic.

10,000 migrants from Chechnya are registered in Dagestan. According to the CRINGO network Coordination Council, the monitoring of the IDP situation in Dagestan can not be considered as adequate. Dagestan plays the role of shelter for IDP who do not wish to return to Chechnya because there are no basic conditions for life there. Refugees are annually allocated 3 flats in Dagestan.

In Stavropol region, 149,000 refugees and IDP are registered. According to polls, 29% of them face dwelling problems. During the recent years, 1% of refugees have been granted credits, 7% of refugees have received compensation for the lost dwelling, 1% of refugees have been given dwelling by the local authorities.

412,775 migrants are registered in Krasnodar region. During 9 years, 1018 flats have been allocated to them. The vast majority of refugees settle by themselves.

The information of the CRINGO network Coordination Council runs that, despite the fact that the government and local authorities undertake certain measures for resolving the problems of refugees and IDP, the problem of swelling still remains acute.

In this connection, the CRINGO NCC recommends the authorities of all Caucasian regions to repair the dwelling in temporary settlements across the conflict territories, allocate alternative dwelling to IDP, involve state dwelling construction programs, allocate ready-made cottages to individual families returning to their residence places, provide basic construction materials to those who need them most, such as the IDP who returned back and other socially vulnerable persons, grant long-term credits for acquisition or construction of dwelling.

Notably, the Caucasian NGO network on refugees and IDP (CRINGO network) unites more than 75 voluntary independent non-profit non-political organizations dealing with refugees, IDP and other persons of equal status.