Mission Statement

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a Danish non governmental organization established in 1956. DRC is an umbrella organization for 30 member organizations with programs in 30 different countries, working for durable solutions for refugee and displaced populations. DRC has been operating in the Russian Federation since 1997.

Objective 1 Objective 2 To support and build the capacity GOAL To promote and build the of local authorities and Protection and promotion of capacity of civil society, through institutions for planning, durable solutions to refugee LNGOs and other potential non- budgeting and delivering on their and displacement problems in governmental actors, to address ToRs as directly relevant for the North Caucasus, on the gaps in service provision and IDPs, i.e. assisting the practical basis of humanitarian entitlements. implementation of federal and principles and human rights republic legislation and policies.

Objective 4 Objective 3 To advocate and help ensure the To promote and support the adherence to and protection of establishment of viable housing and socio-economic entitlements that livelihoods for integrating, returning are applicable and relevant to IDPs and resettling IDPs. and displacement situations.

General Overview of the Programme

The DRC North Caucasus (DRC NC) programme carries out a large assistance operation in partnership with the United Nations (UNHCR), EC's Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO), the governments of Norway (in partnership with NRC and the Norwegian Embassy) and Sweden (SIDA). DRC NC carries out activities in , Ingushetia and North Ossetia and to a lesser degree in Dagestan.

The DRC NC programme is implemented by the departments of Livelihood & Self-reliance (LSR) and Housing & Infrastructure (HI). These implementing departments are supported by a Finance and Administration department, Logistics & Procurement (LOG) department and by the Information & Analysis Department (IAD), which apart from registration and verification of activities also carries out legal aid assistance for IDPs and vulnerable recent returnees.

2, Karaeva Street , Chechnya Russian Federation 1 tel.: 8 (8712) 33 29 38 fax: 8 (8712) 33 29 37 Statistics and Characteristics of the Target Group

Ingushetia As of December 31, 6,471 IDPs (1,591 HHs) from Chechnya’s second conflict displaced in Ingushetia were registered in the DRC/UNHCR database. The majority, 5,524 (1,326 HHs) of IDPs in Ingushetia live in the private accommodation, while 947 (265 HHs) reside in temporary settlements (TS).

1,450 belong to the vulnerable strata (which according to UNHCR criteria includes pregnant and lactating women, children under the age of three, the disabled, elderly people without adequate social support, orphans and children from single parent homes).

IDPs in Ingushetia (DRC statistics as of December 31, 2010): Year of Birth 2005 or 2004 - 1997 – 1992 - 1950 or Total Percentage Gender later 1998 1993 1951 before Female 314 440 382 1 977 447 3 560 55,0% Male 260 459 329 1 622 241 2 911 45,0% Total 574 899 711 3 599 688 6 471 100,0% % 8,87% 13,89% 10,99% 55,62% 10,63% 100,0%

Protection and Advocacy

Chechnya In December, within the project for Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (hereinafter as ICLA), DRC served 38 individuals. 30 individuals out of the total were assisted with legal advice on available social allowances. DRC does mobile visits directly to the hostels/TS and private accommodations in the area and to the beneficiaries referred to DRC by UNHCR and its implementing partners, as well as by various government entities. In December, DRC ICLA staff assisted 19 individuals with preparation of documents for state social payments, obtaining internal passports and housing privatization and advocated on behalf of 3 persons for accessing various government institutions for various entitlements. As a result of provided DRC ICLA, 18 individuals received access to different documents, various social payments and social services, 9 persons expect this access.

According to agreements with DRC, «Nizam» and «Denal» provide ICLA to IDPs residing in the hostels/TSs in Chechnya and Ingushetia respectively. They also do the associated advocacy and capacity building of stakeholders and duty bearers to facilitate access of the target group to: identity, residence and status documentation; housing, land and property rights; social security and social welfare entitlements and other socio-economic entitlements, benefits and services. In December, «Nizam» was approached by total of 33 IDPs, providing 33 consultations on available social allowances, assisting 25 individuals with preparation of documents for state social payments, in obtaining internal passports and accessing housing/land rights, and 7 persons were advocated to get access to various government institutions. As a result of the legal aid provided by «Nizam», 8 individuals received access to different documents, various social payments and social services, 15 persons expect this access. In December, «Denal» was approached by total of 48 IDPs, 21 of them were assisted with legal advice, 24 individuals were assisted with preparation of documents for state payments and IDP status extension, and 7 persons were advocated to get access to various government institutions. As a result of the legal aid provided by «Denal», 14 individuals received access to different documents, various social payments and social services while 12 more people expect to get it.

Ingushetia The DRC registration team in Ingushetia verified the residences of 306 IDP households in the temporary settlements.

The activities presented above are funded by NRC/NMFA, SIDA and UNHCR.

2 Physical Rehabilitation

Ingushetia Following the 2010 agreement with UNHCR, DRC is providing housing assistance to 20 IDP households from Chechnya and Prigorodny district, North Ossetia-Alania, permanently settling in Ingushetia. The amount of materials to be distributed will be sufficient for construction of a standard 48 m2 house. All 20 houses are to be constructed on a self-help principle, using materials distributed by DRC. By the end of December, all 20 beneficiary HHs have the roofs, windows and doors installed; timber for floors was distributed and most of the beneficiaries proceeded to the installation; 10 out of the 20 completed plastering works. There is a part of cutboard and materials for electrification in stock which will be distributed to the beneficiaries in January 2011. Additionally, the beneficiaries have been assisted with a set of sanitation equipment. Contractor for delivery and installation of the equipment was identified in December and will proceed to its installation in January 2011. Furthermore, the caseload will be assisted with individual heating systems (boiler, radiators, etc.) to help beneficiaries finish interior decoration works in winter time and speed up the process of occupation of the newly constructed housing. In December, DRC identified and contracted a company for delivery and installation of the appliances which will be distributed to the beneficiaries in January 2011.

Chechnya In 2010, with the funds provided by UNHCR, DRC is providing housing assistance to 30 vulnerable IDPs and returnees in Chechnya. By the end of December, DRC finalized distribution of construction materials for 28 households. Out of the total number of beneficiaries, 28 finished bricklaying and installed roofs while 24 installed doors. (Please, see the earlier reports for the explanation for the other 2 HHs). Additionally, the caseload will be assisted with individual heating systems. In December, DRC identified and contracted a company for delivery and installation of the appliances which will be distributed to the beneficiaries in January 2011.

Apart from permanent housing, UNHCR is funding provision of box-tents to returnee families in Chechnya, Prigorodny IDPs in North Ossetia and IDPs from Chechnya that decided to reside in Ingushetia permanently. The plan is to produce, distribute and install about 160 box-tents. The beneficiary lists are provided by UNHCR and verified by Vesta (UNHCR IP). In December, 9 more box-tents were distributed to the beneficiaries as follows: 8 in Chechnya and 1 in Ingushetia. By the end of December, the total number of box-tents installed reached 158. In early December 2010, UNHCR added distribution of additional 37 box-tents and accessories to its cooperation with DRC. As per the request from UNHCR, DRC is planning to complete installation of the 37 box-tents by the end of January 2011, reaching the overall result of 195 box-tents.

The construction project funded by SIDA provides a number of turn-key and self-help houses for the most vulnerable IDPs and returnees residing in Chechnya. The number of houses constructed in 2010 is 21 comprising 13 self-help and 8 turn-key. Self-help: In December, DRC distributed the remaining construction materials (windows, doors and roofing board) to the beneficiaries. By the end of the month, 12 out of 13 HHs completed roof construction. Turn-key: 6 houses are completed and accommodated. DRC is in the process of contracting a construction company for the remaining 2 houses.

As part of its SIDA-funded Community Development project, DRC is assisting in implementation of the following infrastructure projects, identified through the review of the community proposals submitted by numerous local administrations. · Rehabilitation of the bathhouse at the hostel on 4 Dudaeva St., Grozny, Chechnya: DRC identified and contracted a company, which will proceed to the implementation in January. Preceding the DRC contribution to the project implementation, the local community completed garbage collection, area improvement and repaired the existing sewerage system. · Potable water supply reconstruction in Yarsh-Mardy, Chechnya: The project is fully operational. Villagers have access to potable water.

3 · Construction of sewerage system for IDP community “Nauka”, Vladikavkaz, North Ossetia: In December, the local community finalized excavation works, whereupon DRC contractor proceeded to installation of reinforced concrete wells. The project implementation is planned to be completed by late January.

As a part of its NRC/NMFA funded construction project, DRC will provide durable housing for 140 vulnerable IDP HHs currently residing at hostels and TSs in Chechnya and Ingushetia respectively. The preliminary beneficiary list compiled by IAD covers 11 TACs in Ingushetia and 3 hostels in ChR with the total number of 276 individuals. In December, DRC Selection Committee approved beneficiary list for 10 turn-key houses in Karabulak, Ingushetia, and 86 self-help houses for the beneficiaries with own land-plots in different locations in Chechnya and Ingushetia. At this stage, DRC signed donation agreements with 86 beneficiaries, collected and registered personal information on the beneficiary HHs into the DRC database. In December, DRC staff continued advocating for land plot allocation for the Chechen IDPs currently residing in hostels/TSs of Chechnya and Ingushetia. For this purpose, DRC HI and IAD specialists approached the municipalities of Samashki, Sernovodsk, Assinovskaya, Argun, Grozny and Urus-Martan district administration. DRC received quick positive feedback on allocation of land plots from the local administrations of Samashki, Sernovodsk and Assinovskaya. Meeting with the Deputy Head of Urus-Martan district on the same issue was held and is pending feedback. In the course of the meeting, the Head was provided with a list of 11 families who would like to return and re-integrate in Urus-Martan district. Furthermore, DRC had a meeting with the Grozny Mayor’s office and presented the list of 32 IDP HHs that used to live in Grozny before the conflict. Out of this list, only 8 HHs are on the Government waiting lists for housing assistance and will get the land plots from the Mayor’s office. In this regard, it was decided to approach the President requesting allocation of 24 land-plots in Grozny for the remaining IDP HHs.

North Ossetia-Alania Under 2010 UNHCR Trust Fund project, 20 HHs are assisted with a set of materials sufficient to construct 48 m2 (internal size) private houses (self-help). Target group of the project are IDPs from Georgia and South Ossetia who left former place of residence in 1991-1992 as a result of the conflict. The land plots for construction are located in Vladikavkaz, Ardon, Alagir, Nart, Dzuarikau, Hataldon, Mairamadag, Brut, Darg- Koh, Kardjin and Krasnogor. In early 2010, UNHCR came up with the list of 15 beneficiaries, while the remaining 5 were presented by UNHCR in October-November. In December, 13 had households completed erection of external walls from blocks, 13 households completed ring-beams, 11 households completed brick laying, 5 households completed roof construction The remaining 5 beneficiaries completed outside walls from blocks, 4 households completed partitions, 2 households completed ring beams and facing with bricks, 1 household completed roof construction.

Livelihood and Self-reliance Activities

In the framework of the finalized ECHO project, DRC provided LSR assistance to 140 vulnerable HHs living in mountainous districts of Nozhay-Yurt and , as well as pre-mountain parts of Grozny-Rural and districts with agriculture and small business grants. In December, DRC proceeded to Impact Evaluation monitoring of the distributed grants, covering 56 grants in Kurchaloevsky, Nozhay-Yurtovsky, Sunzhensky, Gudermessky and Groznensky districts of Chechnya. The monitoring results will be processed in January whereupon the Impact Evaluation Report will be produced.

Under the SIDA project, DRC was planning to implement 26 self-reliance grants at household level, targeting previous housing beneficiaries in support of their process of settling into a new house. However, in December, SIDA confirmed allocation of additional SEK200,000 within the current project component, enabling DRC to support 14 additional grants reaching the total of 40 self-reliance grants. The grants distribution will cover the following villages of Chechnya and Ingushetia: Grozny, Gordali, Sayasan, Samashki, Urus-Martan, Alkhan-Kala, Mekhkeshty, Duba-Yurt, Benoi-Vedeno, Stary Achkhoy, Sovragi, Barsuki, Karabulak, Ali-Yurt, Plievo, Surkhakhi, Dolakovo, Gamurzievo and Kantyshevo. In December, DRC continued procurement of requested LSR equipment and started the distribution of the grants. DRC also distributed equipment for one “Bee-keeping” grant in Stary Achkhoy village.

4 Within the same project component, DRC completed 2 vocational trainings in Urus-Martan: culinary courses (8 participants) and computer courses (13 participants) through “the Center for Financial and Economic Development”. The intention of the courses is to ensure that grant beneficiaries gain necessary skills on selected activities, which will help them to sustain.

To support the food production in areas of return, over a two-year period, DRC is providing support for 8 agricultural cooperatives and associations with SIDA funded Agriculture Development Grants. These grants are available only to legally registered and active cooperatives and associations. Additionally, these grants will be complemented with training opportunities. In December, DRC continued procurement of equipment necessary to promote implementation of the 4 agriculture grants below: 1. Milk processing project proposed by the cooperative “Berkat” in Kharkovskoye village, (Chechnya); 2. Honey production projects proposed by Business association of mountain Chechnya, Shatoy district (Chechnya); 3. Honey production project proposed by the cooperative “Zolotaya pchelka”, Bekan (North Ossetia); 4. Seeds production project proposed by the cooperative “Archakov”, Kantyshevo (Ingushetia). In the meantime, DRC is in the process of reviewing new applications received from different cooperatives. In December, DRC staff visited 2 cooperatives located in Goi-Chu and Argun settlements.

With the financial support from SIDA, and in addition to the community development projects listed under Section “Physical rehabilitation”, DRC is facilitating community development via the 5 projects below: 1. Equipping of carpentry workshop in schools of Shatoi and Urus-Martan districts. 2. Equipping of welders’ workshop in Shatoi and Itum-Kali districts. 3. Sewing and knitting training courses for school girls/youth in Shatoi, Itum-Kali and Sharoi districts. 4. Equipping of physiotherapy room for children in Shali Central Hospital. 5. Construction of latrine for the Chechen Department of the Pan-Russian Deaf Society. In December, DRC continued procurement of equipment for the projects № 1 to 4, while the project 5 (construction of latrine for the Deaf Society) was successfully completed: DRC procured and distributed necessary building material whereas the society contributed to the project implementation with manual labor.

Under the NRC/NMFA project, DRC will support 240 horticultural or self-reliance grants at household level, targeting IDPs residing in hostels/TSs in support of their return. DRC will enable 200 urban IDP youth, primarily in Grozny, to effectively access vocational training, internships, other job placement support and/or income generating activities (IGA) to facilitate their peaceful reintegration into urban community and young Chechen society.

DRC continues working in 17 hostels and TSs in Grozny (Chechnya) and Nazran (Ingushetia) for implementation of self-reliance activities funded by NRC/NMFA. In December, DRC Selection Committee reviewed all 86 applications received from IDPs eligible for self- reliance grants and, at this stage, recommended 76 of them to be included into the project. Procurement of equipment under the project is in progress.

In December, DRC completed vocational trainings started in November: In Nazran, DRC completed a culinary course for 15 potential LSR grant beneficiaries. The training was provided by the “Center for Business Development”, Vladikavkaz. In Grozny, DRC completed a business training organized through Grozny Business Center. The trainings are based on the IOL (International Organization of Labor) models “Start your business” and “Generate your ideas” which help beneficiaries to obtain basic business skills. 22 IDPs, potential beneficiaries of self-reliance grants, attended the training. Furthermore, 15 potential beneficiaries completed a culinary course also organized through “the Center for Financial and Economic Development”. Furthermore, DRC is planning to facilitate two more types of vocational trainings, i.e. sewing and computer courses, which will be started in January. In the meantime, DRC is processing applications for the trainings.

5 Individual Protection Assistance

The above-mentioned caseload will also be assisted with NRC/NMFA funded IPA grants to cover their basic emergency needs arising in the course of return and reintegration (beneficiaries will be either assisted with a self-reliance grant or an IPA). By the end of December, another 76 applications were collected and processed reaching the total of 187 applications. Out of this number, DRC Selection Committee approved 122 applications for the first distribution cycle. Procurement of requested commodities is ongoing.

In December, DRC delivered school kits for 4 children of the vulnerable IDP HH in Saiskhanova-Tobolskaya hostel. Upon request from an extremely vulnerable IDP HH from Goy-Chu village, UNHCR provided an additional box-tent and DRC contributed with transportation and installation costs, which were paid within the IPA grant.

In December, within the NRC funded project targeted at Capacity Building of Local Complex Social Service Centers, DRC with contribution of the Chechen Pension Fund, State Juridical Office and «Nizam» provided trainings for directors and social workers of the Naursky district CSSC, Chechnya. The skills acquired in the course of the trainings will be applied to familiarize their beneficiaries with legal entitlements specified in DRC Pension Brochures, developed with financial support from NRC/NMFA and ECHO, and «Nizam»’s booklets on Rights of the Disabled. Under this project component, DRC reviewed the applications for equipment grants received from Naursky, Oktyabrsky and Achkhoy-Martanovsky district CSSCs, Chechnya, and the CSSC in Nazran. The applications were sent back for revision. In December, DRC received one more request for equipment grant from Sunzhensky district CSSC.

NGO Support and Social Projects

Under SIDA, DRC offers partnership agreements with local NGOs to complement DRC’s mandate. Types of grants were prioritized according to the results of the earlier Needs and Intentions Verification Survey (funded by NRC/NMFA and SIDA). In December, the selected LNGOs successfully completed their project activities within the four social initiatives below: 1. «Improved life quality for women» by the Regional NGO «Doverie» (“Trust”). 2. «Social projection» by the Regional NGO center «Serlo». 3. «Youth Labour exchange» by the Regional NGO «Save the Generation». 4. «Individual assistance to 21 IDP families from Prigorodny district of Republic North Ossetia, currently residing in TACs in Ingushetia» by the Centers of psychological and social support «Denal».

Under the NRC/NMFA project aimed at LNGO capacity building DRC contracted two training providers for the following trainings for the interested local NGOs: 1. Seminar “PR and Fundraising in non-for-profit organizations” by the Centers for psychological and social support «Denal», Ingushetia. 2. Training “Legal education. Fundamentals and regulations for reporting to the local authorities” by the North Ossetian Regional Public Organization «FARN». In December, DRC participated in and monitored the training provided by «Denal». The training was held on December 6-8 and was attended by 15 people, including 11 representatives of 6 Ingush and Chechen LNGOs, 3 workers of Chechen CSSCs and 1 DRC representative. As reported earlier, «FARN» completed its training in November.

DRC administers the small grants scheme of the Norwegian Embassy in Moscow. The grants are meant for local NGOs in the North Caucasus. Following the agreement, DRC has to do careful screening of the local NGOs eligible for the small grants and provide recommendations to the Embassy. 25 LNGOs from North Ossetia, Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan responded to the announced grants competition with various applications. Via thorough review of the proposals received, DRC selection committee identified 4 applications, submitted by 3 LNGO from Chechnya, which were recommended to the Embassy. In December, the Embassy approved the list of 4 projects recommended by DRC. The same moth, all 3 NGOs received funding and proceeded to the implementation.

6 In December, DRC signed a contract with the European Commission for implementation of the project “Protecting and promoting IDP rights and responsibilities”. DRC also discussed new, 2011, contracts with UNHCR and with ECHO, respectively.

DRC Administration

Current Mission Strength A total of 79 local and 3 international DRC staff are employed in all operational sectors and units.

List of Abbreviations: CSSC Complex Social Service Center DRC Danish Refugee Council HI Housing and Infrastructure Department HH Household IAD Information and Analysis Department ICLA Information Counseling and Legal Assistance IDP Internally Displaced Person IGA Income Generating Activity IPA Individual Protection Assistance LNGO Local Non Government Organisation LOG Logistics & Procurement Department LSA Livelihood Support Activity LSR Livelihood and Self-Reliance (also DRC Livelihood and Self-Reliance Department) NC North Caucasus

Donors: EC European Commission ECHO European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office NRC/NMFA Norwegian Refugee Council/the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs SIDA Swedish International Development Agency UNHCR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Please do not hesitate to contact DRC’s office in Grozny for more detailed information (contact information is found on page 1).

7