What has been done - UNICEF response
In 2004, UNICEF continued to implement – in Chechnya, Ingushetia and North Ossetia – an emergency programme that is articulated in four key components: education, mine action, (i.e. mine risk education and survivor assistance), health, and water and sanitation. In particular, the agency continued to act as coordination focal point for the education and mine action sectors. More specifically, UNICEF offered the following assistance:
In education
- UNICEF supported the rehabilitation of 10 schools and 5 kindergartens and the provision of a wide range of educational supplies to schools and selected kindergartens in Chechnya. Read about Zulikhan, an 11 year old IDP from Grozny now attending a school managed by UNICEF.
- UNICEF directed the work of 24 tent and wooden schools in Ingushetia in which 10000 children are educated. Only in 2003, UNICEF provided these schools with 10 000 materials and textbooks.
- The organization promoted the gradual handover to the Chechen Ministry of Education (MoE) of five Child-Friendly Spaces hosting some 500 children in Grozny and opened 10 Early Childhood Education centres for 500 young children in Grozny.
- Vocational training was also provided to 360 dropout adolescents. In Ingushetia, UNICEF continued to support 35-40 ‘parallel’ schools catering to some 5,000 IDP students and four children centres hosting more than 550 pre-school-age displaced children in Ingushetia.
In mine action
- UNICEF devoted resources to improve its Information Management System for Mine Action database on mine/UXO incidents and shifted towards a community-based approach in implementing its mine risk education programme.
- Mine/UXO survivors were provided with prosthetic-orthopaedic devices and assistance, physical rehabilitation, psychosocial support and vocational training.
In the health sector
- UNICEF delivered cold-chain equipment and consumables to health facilities in Chechnya and Ingushetia, organized training for government and NGO health professionals
- Contributed to the renovation of two children’s hospitals in Grozny and continued its Mother Empowerment Programme.
- Preparatory work was also started for the establishment of Youth Friendly Clinics and Youth Information Centres in Chechnya and Ingushetia.
Water and Sanitation Program
- UNICEF helped to reconstruct the water purification and distribution system in Ingushetia.
- Expanded the capacity of its water production and distribution programme in Grozny. 620, 000 litres were purified and delivered to citizens of the Chechen capital daily. At the same time, the hygiene education element was been strengthened.
