The eruption of the conflict in the Northern Caucasus has resulted in large displacement of civilians. The resumption of fighting in August 1999 is seriously aggravating the humanitarian situation in the region. Some displaced persons have moved further afar to other regions of the Russian Federation. The main conclusion was that the humanitarian situation of the displaced population, particularly children and women, will deteriorate rapidly if humanitarian support is not provided.
Priorities identified include provision of food, health, shelter, water, sanitation and protection.
Provision of relief assistance is constrained in the prevailing environment of insecurity. Children and women represent 80 per cent of the IDPs in Ingushetia and Dagestan. Host families, in Ingushetia in particular, have taken in a large proportion of the displaced population. Up to 150,000 persons, or 75 per cent of those displaced from Chechnya, are now housed by host families, many of whom are poor. The main beneficiaries of this appeal are the vulnerable groups, however, the target beneficiaries for each programme intervention will vary.