Country Information
Founded: approximately 1577
Independence (from Russian control): Declared in 1991, ongoing struggle for global recognition
Land Area: 15,300 Square Kilometers (About the size of Connecticut)
Climate: Steppes and Mountainous
Agricultural Land Usability: no data
Natural Hazards: no data
Environmental issues: no data
The People
Population: 1,103,000 (disputed)
Infant Mortality Rate: no data
Life Expectancy: 73
Major Diseases: no data
Religions: Vast majority are Muslim
Literacy Rate: no data
Unemployment rate: no data
Population below the UN-established Poverty Line: no data
* - Much information is unavailable as the Chechens are calculated into the whole of Russia or into the North Caucasus region. Chechnya has not been formally recognized by any country as having attained independence.
Special Conditions
Wars have ravaged Chechnya for the last century. It has struggled at various times since the 1500s to expel foreign forces and since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 has attempted to gain sovereign status as an independent nation.
The ongoing struggles have resulted in a large number of orphans and widows among the massive population of refugees both within Chechnya itself and its neighboring states of Ingushetia and Dagestan.
Identifying the Need
Chechen refugees are in dire need of shelter, food aid and ongoing sponsorship as they have little of their own remaining. Some journalists have described the region as “devastated beyond comprehension” by the war and therefore it is the responsibility of humanitarian aid organizations to help these people to rebuild their lives.
Orphan sponsorship is a dire need as well as basic food, shelter and clean water supplies.
Education is a growing concern as the length of time as refugees has taken its toll on schooling abilities of the community at large.
How The Zakat Foundation Has Responded
For many years the Zakat Foundation had provided orphan sponsorship; however due to the change in political climate forcing refugees to relocate so frequently we have been unable to continue this sponsorship. For the time being, we can only do the best we can to provide food aid and basic supplies for living until the political situations change to permit the expansion of further work.
Our work to aid the Chechen people takes place in Chechnya as well as neighboring Ingushetia.
Ramadan Programs
Our iftars and food distributions during Ramadan are serving hundreds of very needy people. Because of the ongoing war climate in Chechnya; most supplies are completely cut off and prices are extremely high. Therefore our food package distributions are very welcomed and appreciated.
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Udhiya / Qurbani Distribution
Eid al-Adha is a wonderful time for Muslims worldwide, but those who are trapped in war zones have little cause to celebrate. The distribution of meat for the Chechen people gives a break from the daily threat of doom that lingers almost constantly. Sharing the meats of Udhiya / Qurbani is always a blessed occasion and in Chechnya the blessings are magnified due to the great need.
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