Help refugees from Chechnya

Russia is continuing its antiterrorist operation in the breakaway republic of Chechnya, amid growing international concern about civilian casualties and the plight of refugees. The Russian air force is using massive firepower in the republic. The officials assert that the military actions do not cause suffering and casualties to civilians.

At the same time there are incontestable proofs that many innocent civilians, including the elderly and women and children, became victims of indiscriminate and disproportionate bombardment. It seems that for the military leadership, questions of human life and suffering count less than the way in which the Russian army is carrying out the task assigned to it to deal with rebel forces.

Such conditions compel inhabitants to abandon their houses and run away from war. Approximately 200,000 refugees fled to Ingushetia, Daghestan and Georgia. Today thousands of civilians are continuing to stream across the border into these states.

In the refugee’s camps there are not enough foods, warm clothes, important medicines and medical equipment. The elementary requirements of hygiene and sanitation are infringed. The wounded and patients are contained in hospitals. Bombs injured some of them. About 1,500 patients are ill by tuberculosis.

It is necessary to accept emergency measures. But Ingushetia, Daghestan and Georgia don’t have the resources to deal with these people over the coming months. With local resources already overstretched, the situation was bound to get worse during the harsh winter ahead.

Charitable fund "Goodwill" within the framework of its program collects money, which will be immediately direct for rendering humanitarian help for refugees from Chechnya (accommodation of refugees, organization of feeding, medical help and sanitation, etc). Your help is necessary to these people. You can transfer money to our account.If you cannot involve yourself financially, you can tell your friends about this. If you know someone who might be of help in any way to Charitable Fund, please suggest our site. Our web address is www.vologda.ru/~vadurin/. Thank you in advance.