appeal no. 05/99 situation report no. 4 CHUKOTKA, KAMCHATKA AND 10 August 1999 MAGADAN (FAR NORTH-EASTERN RUSSIA): CRITICALLY ISOLATED COMMUNITIES appeal no. 05/99 situation report no. 4 period covered: June - July 1999 The Far Northeast Appeal, launched on 8 February in order to assist 82,000 beneficiaries - multi-child families, single parents, lone elderly, orphans and handicapped - marooned in the remote regions of Russia without even the basic means of survival, is starting to fulfil its objectives due to a surge in donor support in the form of cash and in-kind donations. The production of family food parcels (FFPs) ended in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and Magadan and began in Chukotka. Procurement of hygiene kits and distribution among vulnerable people in all the targeted regions is ongoing. The context The steady erosion of living standards and rise in unemployment, associated with a decade of difficult market transition and poor harvests in Russia, has taken a high toll in terms of living standards and brought with it economic inequality and heightened social instability, which has been particularly devastating on the population of the Far North-eastern regions of Chukotka, Kamchatka, including Koryak okrug, and Magadan. Geographic isolation (air transport and dog sleds are the only ways to reach some remote polar areas for many months of the year), harsh climate (with temperatures reaching -50 C during the winter months and +40 C in summer), poor infrastructure, lack of economic diversity, high cost of transport, over-dependence on imports and the loss of subsidies have all compounded the regions’ difficulties. 1 appeal no. 05/99 situation report no. 4 Due to the lack of funds for transportation of regular winter supplies (fuel, medicines etc.) - normally delivered by the Northern shipping route during ice-free months - a full complement of supplies is no longer sent. Tuberculosis, venereal diseases, infant mortality, and anaemia among nursing mothers are increasing, while hospitals are short of medicines and medical equipment. Hygiene is also difficult, with melted ice often the only source of drinking water. Sewage systems are poor, and become easily blocked during the winter, resulting in raw sewage freezing in the permafrost, thereby compounding health and sanitation problems. Over the past few years life expectancy among remote communities in Chukotka dropped to 34 years for both sexes. The region is also afflicted with environmental problems as a result of by-products released from nuclear and chemical plants. The objectives of the operation are: w to alleviate the impact of cold, malnutrition, disease, stress, and lack of medical care for 82,000 indigenous people (multi-child families, single parents, former prisoners, pensioners, orphans, invalids); w to maximise the use of available local resources (human, goods, and services); w to strengthen local capacities by providing infrastructural support; w to promote partnership between Participating National Societies and the RRC. The Federation is also carrying out two other relief operations in conjunction with this programme: The WEA programme, launched on 30 September 1998, to assist 1,631,500 beneficiaries - multi-child families, orphans, pensioners, handicapped and homeless - in Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine and Russian Federation is almost over. The cash coverage of the programme has reached only 50%; but despite the constraints encountered it managed to fulfil its objectives and provide assistance in the form of food parcels, soup kitchens, winter shoes and clothes to many of those in need. The TB/HIV/AIDS/STDs programme, launched on 12 March in response to the extent of these diseases in Russia, Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus, has not yet attracted major funding. Danish and British RC Societies submitted applications to ECHO, but no response has been received as yet. Latest Events The Russian First Vice Premier took a delegation of federal authorities from the Finance Ministry, the State Committee for Northern Affairs, and United Energy 2 appeal no. 05/99 situation report no. 4 Systems of Russia, along with leaders of the Eastern Siberia and Far Eastern regions, to Vladivostok to discuss ways of solving energy problems. The vice governor of Magadan oblast said that the oblast owes 640 million rubles (CHF 39 million) for food and fuel. Meanwhile the Kamchatka Governor said that the peninsula has many energy resources of its own, but has to live from one fuel tanker to the next. The oblast has no funds to finish building a hydrothermal power station and a gas pipe line in order to provide itself with a stable source of energy. Forest fires are continuing to spread in the Russian Far East because the authorities lack the funds and equipment to fight them. More than 4,800 hectares (12,000 acres) were ablaze, with 32 new sites flaring up in recent days. Red Cross/Red Crescent action A full complement of 47,500 family food parcels (FFPs) was produced in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, and distribution among the vulnerable people of Kamchatka and Koryak okrug is now taking place. Each food parcel consists of 2 kg of wheat flour, 1 kg of sugar, 2 kg of macaroni, 1 litre of vegetable oil, 2 cans of meat, 2 cans of condensed milk, 1 kg of semolina, and 0.5 kg of tea. Some 8,500 FFPs were produced in Magadan and distribution has started. The production of similar food parcels is ongoing in Chukotka, but no reports on the number of produced parcels have been received from the region as yet. The production of 30,000 hygiene kits from a commercial in-kind donation is continuing. It was decided to add two more items to each kit - household soap and candles. As a result each hygiene kit will contain: 2 bars (200g) of baby soap, 2 tubes (200g) of baby cream, 300 ml of baby oil, 1 pack of baby wipes, 2 packs of sticking plasters, 1 tube (100 ml) of hand cream, 2 bottles (500g) of shampoo, 1 hygienic lipstick, 1 pack of sanitary towels, a tooth brush, 5 bars (1 kg) of household soap and 10 candles. Although the original appeal set out to provide a set number of District Hospital kits, Health Centre kits and First Aid kits, it was decided (for reasons of ease of procurement and in accordance with the wishes of local health authorities) that two standard kits would be produced - one with nursing equipment and another with medical equipment (a complete inventory available on request). The first despatch of these kits (81) have left the warehouse in Moscow, and the remainder (159) will leave by August 19. The possibility of using air transport is being considered as transport by the land/sea routes will take 50 days and the ocean is normally frozen by October 15. At present Netherlands Red Cross and the Federation are discussing which region each partner will serve. The Netherlands RC Society team has completed a medical assessment in the regions covered by the Appeal and is preparing a report. 3 appeal no. 05/99 situation report no. 4 In order to improve the capacities of the regional RC committees, the Federation is planning to provide development assistance to the chairpersons and staff members, prior to the envisaged establishment of a regional committee office in Vladivostok. The HOD, the RRC president and the Federation’s logistics co-ordinator will conduct a field trip to the city to assess the situation and discuss the creation of the office in late July. Outstanding needs More cash and in-kind donations are needed to reach full implementation and help the vulnerable groups of these rural regions to cope with their difficult living conditions and survive the hardships of the economic crisis. Please refer to the Appeal document for full details. External relations - Government/UN/NGOs/Media Close co-operation between the RRC, the Federation, and the local RC committees and authorities is continuing with regular meetings, phone and fax contacts. On 15 July a press conference was held in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to attract local media attention to the programme. Contributions See Annex 1 for details. For more information donors should contact Michael Schulz, desk officer, on ++ 4122 7304320, e-mail: [email protected] Peter Rees-Gildea Renny Nancholas Director Director Operations Funding and Reporting Department Europe Department 4.