Launch of Update to the 2006 Inter-Agency Transitional Workplan for the North Caucasus

Opening Remarks
1. The UN Resident Coordinator a.i., Ercan Murat, chaired the launch of the June 2006 Update to the Inter-Agency Transitional Workplan for the North Caucasus. He credited all partners for the collective effort in preparing the Update, and he reported that significant progress has been made toward the goals of the 2006 Transitional Workplan. Referring to his recent meeting with Dmitry Kozak, Plenipotentiary Representative of the RF President in the Southern Federal District, where he reiterated the importance of having a strategic government plan for development of the region, Mr. Murat confirmed that the UN is there to support and complement such a plan and stands ready to provide any technical assistance in designing it, as may be required. He voiced hope that the UN Country Team will very soon receive security clearance from HQs to be present in Chechnya on a regular basis, and he thanked donors for continued support to humanitarian and recovery programs in the North Caucasus.

2. Yusup Geroev, Deputy Chairman of the Ingush Government, focused on acute problems of the socioeconomic situation as well as humanitarian need in the republic, where the number of IDPs at certain periods exceeded its own population. He also thanked the leadership and staff of UN, NGOs and ICRC for assistance provided to Ingushetia.

3. Vladimir Tabolov, Chairman of the North Ossetian Government Committee for External Relations, voiced gratitude for assistance to IDPs in North Ossetia, stressing at the same time that the analysis of the situation in the republic by international organizations is often different from the way it is seen by the local authorities. He therefore suggested setting up coordination mechanisms and, as the first step, holding a joint conference aimed at enhancing efficiency of IDP-related activities in the North Caucasus. Mr. Tabolov also mentioned the idea of holding an independent sociological research in North Ossetia, Chechnya and Ingushetia as another possible step aimed at better planning.

4. Abu Mereskaev, Deputy Head of the Chechen Forced Migrants' Committee, focused on socioeconomic consequences of the war, noting that about 70% of Chechnya's infrastructure has been destroyed, while the remaining 30% needs major repair. 220,000 forced migrants returned to the Republic in 2000-2005; 48,000 are currently on migration files, with 20,000 of them residing in TACs. The Chechen Government supports any humanitarian activities aimed at the recovery of the republic's socioeconomic sector, he said.

Presentation: Update to Transitional Workplan for the North Caucasus

5. The Humanitarian Coordinator, Kasidis Rochanakorn, then gave a presentation of highlights of the June 2006 Update to the Transitional Workplan for the North Caucasus. The Update focuses on four crosscutting issues that are of central importance to realization of the goals of the Transitional Workplan. Those issues include the security situation, changes in the Food Security and Agriculture Sector, IDP durable solutions, and socioeconomic recovery. Mr. Rochanakorn stressed that security allows for more access and project activity in Chechnya than a few years ago: the UN has already had 61 day missions in the first six months of the year, compared to an annual total of 99 last year and only 27 in 2003. Mr. Rochanakorn thanked donors for their support to the Transitional Workplan, noting that the 43% funding is among the best levels of CAPs worldwide. He also stressed that funding disparities among agencies, and particularly non-funding of NGOs have to be addressed.

6. Raising the issue of operational concerns for agencies in the field, especially NGOs, the Humanitarian Coordinator focused on the importance of an open dialogue to avoid problems arising from the implementation of new NGO laws. He underlined the lack of clarity about the 'marshrutny list' requirement, as well as the recently introduced restriction on movement of foreign nationals within North Ossetia-Alania. Looking ahead to 2007, Mr. Rochanakorn pointed to the importance of sustaining the momentum of this Transitional Workplan process for at least a few more years. He announced that the humanitarian programs will be further downsized in 2007 and development programs increased, and that coordination mechanisms were being consolidated to fit evolving needs. One of the most crucial events for 2007 strategic planning will be the expected opening of an official UN presence in Chechnya, he said. The Humanitarian Coordinator also announced the establishment of the OHCHR presence in the Russian Federation.

Presentation: Protection of Civilians

7. Dennis McNamara, the Director of the Internal Displacement Division and Special Adviser to the Emergency Relief Coordinator, who arrived in Russia to lead an inter-agency review and offer advice toward finalization of the Protection Strategy for Chechnya, described the protection of civilians as one of the top priorities of the Transitional Workplan. As the underpinning to the recovery process and the main humanitarian issue, protection of civilians warrants a comprehensive strategy. Drawing on experience elsewhere, he stressed that failure to invest sufficient resources in protection institutions generally results in recurrent population displacement. He added that the protection of civilians is first and foremost a state responsibility, which international organizations can only support. In transitional protection programming, the emphasis often needs to be on building the public's reliance on the judicial system and the rule of law.

Open Forum: Looking forward to 2007

8. Head of the OCHA Office in the Russian Federation, Stephen Tull, facilitated Q&A and discussions on the next steps. He remarked that the launch of this Update marks the beginning of the planning period for 2007. He said that a series of smaller-group consultations would be held in the next few months to prepare the next Transitional Workplan.

9. Mr. Tull first recognized Carel de Rooy, UNICEF Representative in Russia and Belarus, who spoke to the areas of added value for international assistance. Mr. De Rooy noted that the international community should not be expected to undertake large infrastructure projects - this is where the capacity and responsibility exist at the federal and republican levels. The international community may add value in developing new approaches to economic development, as well as in activities related to human security, human rights, humanitarian assistance and strengthening the social fabric. The UNICEF Representative called on donors to consider possibilities for better funding of such projects.

10. Per Albert Ilsaas, DRC Country Director, spoke on behalf of the NGO Consortium, confirming the Consortium's commitment to the objectives of the Transitional Workplan. Commenting on the issue of IDP return, he highlighted that voluntariness, availability of accommodation, and security conditions are the underpinning principles of this process. Supporting the increasing focus on economic development, Mr. Ilsaas stressed the importance of continuing humanitarian assistance in 2007. He voiced hope that the process of NGO re-registration in line with the new NGO laws will be straightforward, and asked for facilitation in the establishment of contacts with the State Registration Service. Mr. Ilsaas described the restriction of foreigners' movement in North Ossetia-Alania as unhelpful. Finally he labeled the reclassification of the UN security phase in Chechnya a signal that is now long overdue.

11. Representatives of Russian government bodies provided comments on various aspects of the transition process. Mr. Inyutsin (Administration of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the RF President in the Southern Federal District) stressed the importance of avoiding gaps during the transition from humanitarian assistance to development programs. Praising Mr. McNamara's presentation on protection of civilians, Ms. Zainalbdieva (Russian Federal Migration Service) highlighted the importance of stepping up assistance to new returnees and called for continuing coordination of IDP-related efforts. Mr. Titov (Commission on Humanitarian and Technical Assistance under the Government of the Russian Federation) called on humanitarian organizations to take advantage of legal mechanisms freeing them from certain taxes and payments.

12. A number of speakers representing diplomatic missions, donor organizations and UN agencies reiterated the importance of knowing the NC development plans of the Russian authorities. Mr. Inyutsin confirmed the preparedness of Mr. Kozak's office to step up cooperation with the UN in the elaboration of development programs. Ms Surgutskaya (Federation Council) called for the establishment in 2007 of strategic partnerships between the UN and local authorities aimed at the resolution of burning problems in Ingushetia's health and education sectors.

13. High-ranking officials of regional governments provided comments on some operational issues raised during the discussion. Mr. Tabolov (North Ossetia) noted that the restriction of foreigners' movement in North Ossetia was imposed by a decision of the Russian Government. He stressed that the North Ossetian authorities are considering the possibility of issuing 3 or 6 month passes for the staff of humanitarian organizations working in the areas where restrictions apply. The draft decision also allows for the quick provision by telephone of permissions to newcomers. The facilitation of customs procedures is also being considered, he added. Mr. Mereskaev (Chechnya) said that the 'marshrutny list' requirement is still in place. He stressed that this procedure may be cancelled only if the Chechen leadership and the republic's Military Commandant take such a decision.

14. Referring to the reduction of humanitarian assistance, Mr. Richardson (US Embassy) underlined the importance of defining the scope of humanitarian needs and prioritizing them. Mr. Korepanov (USAID) added that his Agency started transition from humanitarian assistance to recovery two years before, focusing on agribusinesses. USAID has launched an assessment in this sector and will be able to share its results with all colleagues, he concluded. Ms Lowenhardt (the Netherlands Embassy) noted that the Netherlands had been an active humanitarian donor in the North Caucasus. However, the country would not provide funds for development, which is first and foremost the responsibility of the government. Ms Mulroney (Canadian Cooperation Program) remarked that in line with Good Humanitarian Donorship initiative, CIDA provides unearmarked funds to UN agencies, leaving it up to them to decide where to spend the resources. Mr Kulaev (UNDP) stressed that different criteria should be used to assess humanitarian support and development activities, with the latter being a longer-term process. He also drew donors' attention to under-funding of recovery activities in the North Caucasus.

15. Prerequisites for the socioeconomic development of the region were also in the focus of the Open Forum discussion. Mr. Murat noted that the private sector has a great potential to contribute to the resolution of recovery and stabilization issues and may become the major engine in the socioeconomic development of the region. But certain conditions should be put in place - the authorities should do more to encourage private business investment in the region. Corruption needs to be reduced. UN and NGOs can play a role in supporting the authorities in this work. Mr. Murat also said that the possibility of organizing a conference in Rostov on ways to step up investments to the region was discussed at his recent meeting with Mr. Kozak. Mr. Jaross (ICRC) highlighted the importance of eradicating corruption for ensuring the efficiency of economic recovery projects. He also raised the so far unresolved problem of missing people. Ms Prouvez (OHCHR) noted that the OHCHR is willing to start developing programs in the rule of law sector.

Conclusion

16. Mr. Murat concluded the meeting by thanking everyone for active participation and voicing satisfaction with the overall agreement on the need for closer cooperation with government counterparts. He extended his special thanks to Mr. Rochanakorn who will soon take up the post of Director, OCHA Geneva.