Situation in refugee camps in Ingushetia worsens due to power, water supply cutsRuslan Isayev, North Caucasus – Recently the situation in Chechen refugee camps in Ingushetia has considerably worsened and can be called critical.
Over the recent several months relief aid provided by various international humanitarian orgnisations has been markedly reduced and day-to-day problems increased. In Chechen refugee camp Bart in Karabulak water supplies have been put on halt for the second month already. People living in the camp have to carry water from a source several kilometres away. Due to the lack of water, the local shower room does not work. Doctors who work in the camp noticed a steep rise in the number of infectional diseases among refugees, especially children.
People have been living in these conditions for the third year already and many of them believe that will have to spend in Ingushetia the fourth winter. The absence of security guarantees in their homeland puts off their return although the campaign for the return has been launched.
In the neighbouring camp located in the territory of an animal farm the electricity has been cut off and the power supply seems unlikely to be relaunched. Since August 5 the refugee camp in Yandyr has been without electricity as well. In the presence of the police, the staff of the power supplier Ingushenergo cut the electricity off in spite of refugees’ pleadings. The refugees tried to prevent the measure but in response one policeman shot into the air in order to frighten the protesting refugees away.
On the following day the refugees held a rally in the territory of the camp and made an appeal to Ingush authorities claiming to save them from such provocations.
In many Chechen refugee camps people are openly warned that the cuts in the supply of gas, electricity and water will be permanent if they spend in Ingushetia another winter.
(T) |
