21,000 People Return To Chechnya This Year

Alla Vlazneva, press secretary to the chairman of the Chechen government, announced on Friday that about 21,000 refugees had returned to Chechnya this year. This figure included 18,000 people who had returned to the republic's rural areas and about 3,000 forced migrants to Grozny. According to the press secretary, a further 2,400 people have also requested that they be allowed to return home. Vlazneva pointed out that the construction of temporary accommodation was in full swing. In particular, three blocks will be ready for occupancy in Grozny in late November, while another five are under construction. 930 people have already been housed in three such blocks in Argun and four more are expected to be rented out in the near future in Gudermes and Sernovodsk. The press secretary also reported that a person could carry out repairs on his own flat while living in the provided temporary accommodation. According to her, a contract needs to be signed with a building organisation, which will then allocate the necessary construction materials. Moreover, anyone rebuilding their own home will be paid wages.