DRC North Caucasus operation map. Beneficiary s Portrait

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1 NORTH CAUCASUS PROGRAMME REPORT July 2013 The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is the largest Danish non-governmental organization which was established in 1956 to assist refugees from Hungary integrating in Denmark. DRC is an umbrella organization for 30 member NGO, civic society, human rights and other groups in Denmark, including the broadest spectrum of Danish society representatives. DRC implements programs in 30 countries, leading refugee and displaced populations to durable solutions. DRC has been operating in Russia since IDP Statistics in the region: Chechnya: over 15, 000 IDPs Ingushetia: 16, 102 IDPs, including 6,057 from Chechnya and 10,045 - from Prigorodny district North Ossetia: 9,876 forced migrants DRC s goal in the North Caucasus is protection of, and the promotion of durable solutions for refugees and displaced in the region, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. About Us: Annual donor portfolio: 2,116,300 EUR Regular staff: 39 DRC North Caucasus operation map Allocation of funds between 5 sectors: 2% 4% 16% 8% 70% Shelter Livelihood Protection NFI/infrastructure Civil cosiety/lngo development Beneficiary s Portrait "However, we never starved thanks to the help of organizations such as yours," - says Rosa. Having returned from Ingushetia, Rosa and her family had few more years of wandering in temporary accommodation centers. "What a joy it was when the Danish Refugee Council decided to give us a two-room apartment. Of course, it is quite hard to live in a two-room apartment, as there is a newly created family living with me, my son and daughter-in-law. But there is a roof over our heads and we do not need to fear that we can be evicted any moment." On the photo: DRC Country Director is handing over the title deed to Rosa Madaeva. Rosa Madaeva is 52. She is divorced and is bringing up five children. During the first military campaign in Chechnya, Rosa with her children lived in a village hosted by relatives. Being divorced, I did not have own house and had to huddle either with my relatives, or in rented apartments" - says Rosa. It got even harder during the second campaign. Like many other Chechen families, Rosa with the children fled to Ingushetia. "Five years of wandering across the chains of temporary accommodation centers, trailers and tents did affect my health and the health of my children" - bitterly says Rosa. Now the whole family has to get through the terrible consequences of the longlasting displacement and challenging life in poor living. Rosa s daughter is 24, she got sick and now doctors put a question of the removal of her kidney. Her husband divorced her and she came back to me with two children -Rosa speaks in a low voice. BPRM under the US Department of State DRC main office in Chechnya: 2 Karaeva St., Grozny, , Tel Fax Sub-office in North Ossetia: 1 Mira Prospect, office 514, Vladikavkaz, Tel/Fax стр. 1 из 5

2 programme overview The DRC North Caucasus programme carries out a significant assistance operation in partnership with the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration under the US Department of State (BPRM) and the Government of Norway (in partnership with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Norwegian Embassy in Moscow). DRC carries out activities in Chechnya, Ingushetia and North Ossetia. The DRC programme consists of Housing and Infrastructure, Livelihood & Self-reliance (LSR), Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA) and NGO support components. This is implemented by the programme department and supported by the Finance and Administration section and Logistics & Procurement department. Protection and Advocacy Under the NMFA-funded project for Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (hereafter as ICLA), DRC s mobile legal clinics provide support directly at the Temporary Settlements, hostels and private accommodations in Ingushetia and Chechnya, and to the beneficiaries referred to DRC by local NGOs, UNHCR implementing partners, as well as by various local government entities. In July, DRC was approached by 57 individuals. 44 out of the total were assisted with information and advice on their most urgent legal issues, including rights to social allowances. In July, DRC ICLA staff assisted 20 individuals with preparation of documents for obtaining state social payments, benefits and services. DRC also advocated on behalf of 17 persons to access different government institutions for various state allowances and documents. As a result, 28 individuals, including those who applied during previous months, obtained different documents and accessed various social payments. 8 more persons expect to obtain their documents also. Under the BPRM-funded project, DRC provides extensive ICLA and legal training to the target group in Chechnya through its implementing partner local NGO Elif. In July, Elif provided legal assistance to 18 internally displaced and vulnerable people. 16 of them were assisted with information and legal counselling upon issues, including access to social payments and allowances; 10 people were assisted in preparation of their applications for various social benefits and services, as well as court applications; 7 people received legal representation to government bodies. As a result of the provided assistance, 7 people, including those who approached DRC during previous months, have received legal documents and consequently their social payments and services. 4 more persons expect to obtain theirs soon. Legal aid activities are supported by BPRM and NMFA. Housing and Infrastructure Under the NMFA-funded project, DRC will ensure durable housing solutions for 45 vulnerable IDP HHs in Chechnya, Ingushetia and North Ossetia currently residing at TS/hostels. Access to improved community and physical infrastructure will be ensured for 200 HHs throughout the three republics. In July, DRC completed registration of 6 two-room apartments for IDPs residing in hostels of Grozny in the Registry Office of Chechnya. Beneficiary HHs were selected in cooperation with Staropromyslovsky district administration and Grozny Mayor s Office. Since the project start, the total of 20 apartments was procured for vulnerable IDPs, who have already moved into the housing. DRC lawyers are preparing the set of documents to formalize the right of ownership and receive State Registration Certificates for the apartments. Five more families will receive apartments in August. In North Ossetia, the open tender for construction of turnkey houses at the land plot supposed for allocation in Kurtat settlement, was cancelled in view of the negative response from the RF Ministry of Foreign Affairs that was sounded by the Ministry of Ethnic and National Relationships of North Ossetia (in accordance with the RF President Decree on Coordinative Function of the RF MFA No.1478 dd , the draft Agreement is to be approved by the RF MFA). Apartments purchasing option is considered as the best alternative to the construction. The residential property market supply in RNO-A has been investigated and the pilot tender for 5 apartments in Alaghir, Ardon, Dachnoye and Oktyabr skoye settlements was announced. Possible ownership registration formalities are being discussed with the Registration Service стр. 2 из 5

3 specialists in North Ossetia to optimize the process of purchase and sale transaction and minimize the time. The 15 families from the basic beneficiary list were lined in accordance with the vulnerability criteria applied in DRC. In July, DRC received budget estimates from 2 IDP HHs, DRC former shelter beneficiaries in Hataldon village, who earlier approached DRC with a request to assist in connecting their houses to main gas pipeline. 9 houses out of the 11 built earlier under DRC self-help construction project in Hataldon lack gas connection. Feasibility of the gasification project is to be considered for all the 9 houses. In July, DRC requested quotation from 5 potential contractors for repair works in the multi-ethnic school in one of Vladikavkaz townships (Kartsa). The best contractor was selected and the renovation of the junior school windows and flooring is underway (due to finalize mid-august). Under the BPRM-funded project DRC will provide 40 individual NFI/ infrastructure grants to eligible beneficiaries in Chechnya. The project target group comprises of the most vulnerable HHs who have been recently evicted from IDP hostels or who are under direct threat of eviction as well as former DRC housing beneficiaries who failed to move into the house. The assistance is meant to help these families to finalize construction of durable housing and ensure utilities are connected enabling them to move in. In July, DRC continued negotiations with City Gas Services regarding gas connection for IDP residents at Novatorov area. The plan of gas connection was revised to ensure proper connection of beneficiary s houses to the main line. DRC completed procurement of all required equipment. Under this project, DRC will assist 9 DRC housing beneficiaries in Novatorv area with connection to main gas pipeline. However, other families who built houses in this area will also benefit from this project. NGO Support and Social Projects Under the NMFA-funded project for , DRC will provide extended and integrated support to LNGO capacity building, cooperation and networking in the North Caucasus region. Through the series of grant awards and trainings/seminars, DRC will further support the best-performing LNGOs which share DRC values and target vulnerable IDPs. In May, under the NMFA-funded call for proposals, DRC received 8 applications from 7 LNGOs based in 3 republics: Chechnya, Ingushetia and North Ossetia. The Selection Committee included representative of the Chechen Ombudsman Office. The selection process was completed in June; two grants in Chechnya were identified to be supported: 1. LNGO Zov Serdca (Heart call), Chechnya: Heart call. Goal: To establish network for collecting second-hand garments, footwear and household staff in Grozny for distribution in hostels at 111, 119, 140a Mayakovskogo St; purchase and distribute winter jackets/boots among the most vulnerable IDP children to improve their access to educational facilities. The 3-months project is targeting over 200 IDP children from the 3 hostels at Mayakovskogo St. Out of them 60 most vulnerable IDP children with poor access to school and kindergarten will get winter jackets/boots. Also, 6 volunteers will be engaged in the project. In July, the grantee conducted project presentations for the target group, as well as other stakeholders. Separate meetings were held with hostel administrations and Grozny Central market administration to discuss cooperation and coordination issues. Hostel administrations supported the grantee in needs assessment process. Grozny Central market administration allocated premises for marketers donations collection and storage. Banners and leaflets were produced for information campaign and posted in public places. T-shirts with project visibility were produced for 6 volunteers engaged in the process. Following the information campaign, the grantee has started receiving second hand commodities from the local population. The lists of potential beneficiaries are being compiled. 2. LNGO Doverie (Reliance), Chechnya: Increased economic independence and employment for IDPs in temporary settlements. Goal: To increase economic independence and employment of IDPs with low life standard living in hostels and private sector. стр. 3 из 5

4 The 3-months project is targeting 36 IDPs living in hostels and private sector of Grozny. The project foresees vocational courses in make-up and wedding hairdressing, as well as in shoe repair. Strengthened professional knowledge and skills will improve competitiveness of the target IDPs on the local labour market. In July, the grantee conducted project presentations for the target group and other stakeholders. Based on survey conducted in the hostels and private sector, the lists of 16 beneficiaries were compiled for the first round of vocational courses (10 make-up and wedding hairdressing and 6 shoe repair). The shoe repair courses will be provided by Magomed Amirkhanov, 26-year-old mine victim, who has got specialized in St. Petersburg. The schedule was developed and the courses launched at the grantee s center, which is properly equipped for the courses. Livelihood and Self-reliance Activities Under the NMFA-funded project, DRC plans to assist at least 135 IDP HHs in Chechnya, Ingushetia and North Ossetia to set up and run a small sustainable business to ensure self-employment and reliance for the family and neighbouring communities. DRC will also provide business/vocational trainings to 60 eligible IDPs, who lack expertise to run the selected type of business and/or need refreshment. In July, DRC Selection Committee considered 25 applications from North Ossetia and 23 applications from Ingushetia. Out of this number, the committee approved 33 applications and requested additional information on remaining 15 applications. The staff continued collecting additional information in Ingushetia and North Osseta. Assessment in Chechnya is underway. Under the BPRM-funded project DRC plans to provide 40 community-relevant IGA grants to eligible beneficiaries in Chechnya helping them to improve their self-reliance and move toward durable shelter solution. At least 10 IGAs will be granted through a local NGO, Doveriye (Reliance), which is getting coaching upon livelihoods activities. Business/vocational trainings will also be provided by Reliance to 50 eligible IDPs lacking expertise to run selected type of business and/or need refreshment. In July, DRC continued procurement process for 34 IGA grants to be distributed by DRC and 10 grants to be distributed by Reliance. Contracts are signed with selected suppliers. In July equipment for a Beekeeping grant was delivered. Major deliveries are expected in August. Individual Protection Assistance Under the NMFA-funded project, DRC will assist extremely vulnerable IDP HHs Chechnya, Ingushetia and North Ossetia to address their most urgent protection needs through 150 small Non Food Item and legal fees reimbursement grants. The aim is to improve the daily lives of vulnerable IDPs and to facilitate their access to basic legal documentation legitimating their rights to state services and entitlements. DRC staff continues beneficiary selection for individual assistance. In July, DRC reimbursed apartment registration fees for 6 IDP HHs, who received apartments in Staropromyslovski district of Grozny. Besides, one IDP family received reimbursement of legal fees. List of Abbreviations: BPRM Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration under the US Department of State DRC Danish Refugee Council HH Household HLP Housing, land and property rights ICLA Information Counselling and Legal Assistance IDP Internally Displaced Person IGA Income Generating Activity IEC Information, Education & Communication Materials IP Implementing Partner IPA Individual Protection Assistance LNGO Local Non Government Organisation LSA Livelihood Support Activity стр. 4 из 5

5 LSR NC NMFA TS Livelihood and Self-Reliance North Caucasus Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Temporary Settlement Please do not hesitate to contact DRC s office in Grozny for more detailed information (please see page 1 for contact information). стр. 5 из 5