October 4, 2015
Chechnya
Caritas Czech Republic concludes their mission in Chechnya. After 15 years of humanitarian and development work, Caritas Czech Republic terminated its activities in Chechnya. The reason is, among other things, a continued decline of donors’ interest in Chechnya.
Caritas Czech Republic started operating in Chechnya in 2000. In cooperation with the organization Berkat, it opened first a preschool education center for 50 children in Grozny. In the coming years, it supported the creation of similar centers in other cities. Operating centers were gradually handed over to the administration of the Chechen Ministry of Education.
Among the other activities in the years 2006-2010, Caritas was responsible for the construction of houses in Grozny, better prevention and treatment of HIV / AIDS, managing the operation of four public cafeterias for 1,600 diners, and support of small businesses for war returnees.
In recent years, Caritas Czech Republic focused primarily on the development of preschool education centers and the additional training of kindergarten teachers. Only in the years 2010 to 2015, we invested 12,681,020 CZK to the development of centers and teacher trainings because of high contributions from Caritas Switzerland. Considerable attention was also paid to supporting the teaching of children with special needs. In the years 2010 to 2014 Caritas Czech Republic spent funds amounting to 4 257 682 CZK to ensure special tools for teachers visiting the children’s families.
Since 2002, Caritas Czech Republic also contributed to specific socially disadvantaged families, thanks to the donations of private Czech donors. These funds went to the purchase of food and to cover costs associated with pre-school education, including the payment of kindergarten fees.
We are sorry we have to discontinue our activities in Chechnya. This is a big change, however, Caritas Czech Republic must focus on regions where its help is needed more. These include the Ukraine and Middle Eastern countries. Hence the countries facing the same conflicts like the Chechen Republic has dealt with in the past. I would like to thank colleagues from Caritas Switzerland and all Czech donors who have long supported our projects in Chechnya, says Lukas Laube, the head of the humanitarian aid and development cooperation in Caritas Czech Republic.
