Legislators are now fine-tuning the bill before parliamentary debate begins.
The draft, in its present form, provides that the fund is to be responsible for assisting refugees and forced migrants, in accordance with existing Russian Federation laws. The fund would also help devise social welfare programs concerning refugees, as well as conduct research on forced migration topics. In addition, the fund would be responsible for securing both temporary and longer-term housing for displaced persons, and it would play a major role in the financing of programs. Specific measures would be worked out in tandem with executive branch officials in Russia's regions and autonomous republics. Previous attempts at setting up a fund to deal with forced migration issues have fizzled before they could have any impact.