United Nations and the Government of the Russian Federation Sign Memorandum of Understanding on Humanitarian Action in the Northern Caucasus

The United Nations and the Government of the Russian Federation today signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Humanitarian Action in the Northern Caucasus in order to establish a firm basis for the United Nations to continue to provide humanitarian assistance to civilians in need in the Republic of Chechnya, Republic of Dagestan, and the Republic of Ingushetia.
Signing on behalf of the United Nations, John McCallin, Humanitarian Coordinator, stated that the Memorandum affirms that the UN and the Government of the Russian Federation will continue to cooperate on and coordinate the provision of humanitarian assistance in the northern Caucasus.

The Memorandum confirms that the Government of the Russian Federation will work to ensure the security of UN and associated personnel engaged in humanitarian action in the northern Caucasus. McCallin noted that the security of humanitarian workers is the responsibility of all parties who must recognize the humanitarian nature and apolitical character of the activities of the UN, its agencies, and their partners.

The Memorandum acknowledges that humanitarian action carried out by the UN, its agencies, and their partners is based on recognized international legal instruments, including the Geneva Conventions of 1949, the Additional Protocols of 1977, and the UN General Assembly Resolution 46/182 of 1991. Humanitarian programmes of the UN, its agencies, and their partners are guided by the principles of humanity, impartiality, and neutrality.

The Memorandum confirms that the Government of the Russian Federation will continue to help the United Nations, its agencies, and their partners with visas for personnel, customs clearance of humanitarian cargo, and communications systems for humanitarian operations.

Since 1 December 1999, UN agencies including the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN World Food Programme (WFP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) have carried out humanitarian programmes in the northern Caucasus valued at US$ 30 million, thanks to generous contributions of the international donor community. The UN plans to provide additional assistance to the tune of US$ 20 million by the end of the year as outlined in the UN Consolidated Inter-agency Appeal for the Northern Caucasus.