Brussels, 07/06/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday, the European Commission approved the sending of 14.5 million (mio) euro in humanitarian aid for the victims of the conflict in Chechnya, taking total aid for the area to 41.5 million since October 1999.
There are currently an estimated 170,000 displaced persons on the Chechen territory, as well as a further 170,000 displaced persons in Ingushetia. The decision adopted on 7 June will enable Echo partners on the ground to cover the most urgent needs: food, clothing, blankets and mattresses, medicine, medical personnel, the provision of water and health infrastructure, and (in Chechnya alone) repairs to houses. At the same time, a survey of humanitarian needs will be undertaken in the region so as to update data on the aid to the beneficiaries.
In a press release, the Commission stresses that the security situation in Chechnya remains precarious and that Echo's partner organizations continue to face extremely difficult conditions, especially access to the UN's VHF radio communication system. The Commission deplores the fact that despite repeated representations by the EU at different political levels, very little progress has yet been achieved on this subject.