CHECHNYA: GROZNY: RESIDENTS' DAILY STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL

(7 Jul 1995) Russian/Nat

As peace talks struggle on in the Chechen capital, Grozny, for the city's residents daily life remains a battle for survival.

Despite a 100 (m) million dollar reconstruction fund promised by Moscow, local authorities say they've received less than 7 (m) million dollars.

There is much to be repaired and rebuilt in the bombed out Chechen capital of Grozny.

Despite promises of millions from Moscow, local people say they've had next to nothing.

Many of them are ethnic Russians - much of the Chechen population lives with relatives in the countryside.

But for Grozny's Russians, there is nowhere else to go but to the shells of their homes.

They hammer together makeshift furniture from scraps of wood and timber from bomb-damaged roofs.

Nina Khatayeva returned to Grozny alone; she lost her husband in the Russian bombardment.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
I dragged my husband out in a wheelbarrow. Some soldiers helped me take him further on an APC and then put him on helicopter to Vladikavkaz. He lay in hospital there for 5 days and died. I buried him there on my own.

SUPER CAPTION: Nina Khatayeva, Grozny resident

She now lives with nine others in the remains of this house in central Grozny.

They make a living anyway they can - this old man mends clocks and watches in the half-light of the derelict house.

His wife, Vera Linchenko, explains that city authorities have little to offer.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
We've had no help. We handed in applications and were told to come back if we wanted to queue for a space in a railway carriage.

SUPER CAPTION: Vera Linchenko, clock mender's wife

Reconstruction plans mean hundreds of buildings are marked for demolition. Desperate the chalk signs scribbled by inhabitants begging officials not to knock down their homes.

Despite upbeat official reports about life returning to normal, the reality is that little has changed from months ago.

Electricity is for those few with a generator while the vast majority still depend on outside taps for their daily water.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/e98d23f0fb3e4cfc032b4bec264e69fc

Видео CHECHNYA: GROZNY: RESIDENTS' DAILY STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL канала AP Archive