HMD RESPONSE PROGRAMMES IN CAUCASUS - CHECHNIA

HMD Response responded to the critical situation facing Chechnia due to the Russian invasion in 1994 and recognised the gravity of the situation and its potential for sharp deterioration. It thus responded early in the conflict by providing medical aid as an emergency measure. Since then, HMD Response and its Czech partner, People in Need, has been one of only three organisations to have worked in the unoccupied region of the country; that is not behind Federal Army lines.

In many cases HMD Response was the first aid convoy to arrive at the frontline hospitals providing essential supplies and equipment.

The emergency provision by HMD Response has consisted of:

• Supply of medicines;
• Supply of medical and surgical equipment;
• Sterile and disposable theatre equipment;
• Delivery or orthopaedic fixtures and equipment
  

Establishing an ongoing commitment to Chechnia :

HMD Response, to show its commitment to the deteriorating situation in Chechnia, established an office and representative in Nazran during May 1995. The team have since then undergone severe hardships and danger in the process of delivering aid to the neediest amongst the Chechen population. HMD Response has been aided in this endeavour by the full co-operation of the Ingush Government.

Fred Cuny :

Due to its presence in the area and an extensive local network of information sources, HMD Response was amongst those attempting to locate the American aid worker Fred Cuny. However, we are sorry to learn that there has been no sight of him since he disappeared and he is presumed dead. His life was given in the relief of suffering, a cause for which he had dedicated his energies and displayed great courage.

"The end of the war in Chechnya may still be far ahead. Severe fighting broke out soon after the second round of the Russian presidential election in July 1996. Promise made be the Russian leadership were not fulfilled and Yeltsin again gave a free hand to the radical, hard line military commanders such as the chief commander of the Federal forces of Chechnya, Mr. Tichomirov. The Russian side decided once more to crush the Chechen opposition by force and to set aside negotiations as promised during the International community."

Russian forces crossed the borders of the Chechen Republic (Itchkeria) 18 months ago. The action turned out to be the biggest and bloodiest conflict on the territory of the Russian Federation since the end of World War II. Hundreds of thousands of civilians were forced to leave their homes and to settle in other parts of the small republic or to seek refuge in the neighbouring republics of Dagestan and Ingushetia. A significant number of them, especially ethnic Russians, left for Moscow and other big cities.

About 40,000 civilians were killed during the heavy bombardment of Chechen capital Grozny and during fighting in other Chechen towns and villages. The Russian army used tanks, fighter jets, rocket launchers, attack helicopters, heavy artillery and banned ammunition under the Geneva Convention such as cluster bombs, fire bombs and dumdum bullets. Russian commanders repeatedly refused to open safe corridors for the civilian population and thus sentenced them to death. More than half of the flats and houses in Grozny were burned down and destroyed. Tens of other smaller towns and villages were bombarded and completely destroyed.

Tomas Pojar, PINF, July 1996 :

The children’s municipal hospital in the city of Grozny, providing care to the children of the Chechen Republic, finds itself in a desperate situation in terms of materials as well as finances. It is not possible to provide ill children with the necessary care because of the lack of medicine and medical equipment as well as the fact that the war has destroyed the main hospital building. The doctors cannot, due to the lack of equipment and small amount of medicines, fulfil their professional duties. All ill children as well as doctors will be thankful for your help.” – (Director of Children’s’ Municipal Hospital, Grozny, March 1996)