Jul 26, 2006

Chechen Families Receive Livestock As Income Generation Project Enters Second Phase


One hundred families received livestock, shelter materials and feed storage units as the World Vision Income generation project in Chechnya entered its second phase last month
One hundred families received livestock, shelter materials and feed storage units as the World Vision Income generation project in Chechnya entered its second phase last month. Launched in February, this one year project aims to help the most vulnerable families in the Urus-Martan district to escape poverty and regain their self-sustainability through sheep breeding and effective small-business management.

Launched in February, this one year project aims to help the most vulnerable families in the Urus-Martan district to escape poverty and regain their self-sustainability through sheep breeding and effective small-business management.

'I view this ECHO (European Commission's Humanitarian Aid department) sponsored project as one of the most effective ways to help people, specifically those who live in rural areas, to become less dependent on humanitarian aid as we are providing these families with equal opportunities to move ahead towards self-sustainability in particular and economic development in general', said Usman Uzhakhov, WV Project Coordinator.

'At first, we were a little concerned about how people would react to this one condition stated in the project,' shared Zaurbek Dzhankhoev, 41-year old WV extension worker 'We had to inform all applicants that participation in this project was possible only for those who were willing to be excluded from all other food programmes implemented in the area. To our surprise we still received about 900 applications, which 100 families had eventually been selected from. It shows that many people would rather take the risk of running their own small businesses than continue to be dependent on regular food distributions.'

'Of course we realize that these nine sheep won't solve all our problems at once and yet, I'd rather work with my own hands and feel normal, than stand in that line at the food distribution points and feel like victim drenched with self-pity,' said Izan Murdalova, 49-year old resident of Urus-Martan, having lost her husband during the conflict four years ago is now taking care of her three children alone.

David Womble, Program Director said, 'Delivering relief goods and basic essentials to suffering people relieves from fear and literally saves lives, while providing opportunities to support and sustain their families gives hope. The currently implemented income generation project is a great contribution to the process of smooth transition from relief-oriented initiatives to recovery and development activities.

Urus Martan district has always been predominantly agricultural. Before the two recent military operations, livestock breeding was a significant industry in the district. Almost every other family has had some previous experience in livestock breeding.

The project also includes facilitation of group trainings for beneficiaries on basic business management skills, which eventually will lead to the establishment of informal sheep-breeding networks throughout the district.

The European Commission's Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO), funds relief operations for victims of natural disasters and conflicts outside the European Union. Aid is channelled impartially, straight to victims, regardless of their race, ethnic group, religion, gender, age, nationality or political affiliation.

Since autumn 1999 the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid department began providing humanitarian assistance in the Northern Caucasus to the population affected by the conflict in Chechnya. Aid has been delivered through the Commission's implementing partners to the most vulnerable people in Chechnya and in the neighbouring republics of Ingushetia and Dagestan.