UNITED NATIONS SEEKS $11.9 MILLION FOR RETURN, REINTEGRATION OF PERSONS DISPLACED IN CHECHNYA CONFLICT
Press Release
IHA/618
UNITED NATIONS SEEKS $11.9 MILLION FOR RETURN, REINTEGRATION OF PERSONS DISPLACED IN CHECHNYA CONFLICT
19970214 NEW YORK, 14 February (DHA) -- The United Nations today appealed for $11.9 million to address the humanitarian needs of persons who had been displaced as a result of the conflict in Chechnya, Russian Federation.The United Nations Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal, which covers 1997, contains programmes for returnees to Chechnya and for the integration of those who, as identified by local authorities, are not returning to their places of origin. The activities of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) target a population of some 75,000 persons and aim to provide urgently needed food and non-food aid, as well as assistance in the areas of health, shelter, water and sanitation, basic education and small-scale rehabilitation of infrastructure, among others. The WFP is not seeking additional funds for its activities under this appeal. Support for the coordination of the programme of activities will be provided by the Department of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA).
The 1996 Appeal, for $13 million, received 90 per cent financing through donor contributions. While the recent violations of security in Chechnya will necessitate an immediate review of the conditions there prior to implementing projects, United Nations agencies in the neighbouring republics of Ingushetia, North Ossetia and Daghestan will continue their activities to meet the humanitarian requirements of the displaced population.
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