Jacques Barberis: "We enter neither into politics, nor disputes"

Author: Timur Utsayev, Grozny, specially for "Vestnik Kavkaza"

This year, the International Committee of the Red Cross, which helps people affected by armed conflicts, is celebrating its 150th anniversary. Today the ICRC is working in 90 countries. The head of the ICRC in Chechnya and Dagestan, Jacques Barberis, answers questions from "Vestnik Kavkaza".

- Have the social conditions of people in the North Caucasus improved in recent years?

 This is the second time that I have worked here. The first time was in 2000-2003. I came back here in 2009. The difference is obvious. When I left, there were still ruins. Now Grozny is rebuilt. In terms of infrastructure, water supply, gas supply, much has been done. Usually people work here for a year or a year and a half, but I like it here.

- Are you involved in the search for missing people?

 - There are still people here who are suffering from the effects of past conflicts, and our job is to try to help them. We work in two directions - to remind the authorities that it is their direct duty - to look for missing people. We work with families who have lost their breadwinner, including help to start a small private business. In cooperation with the authorities we make lists of missing persons, and are ready to assist in the search for them. Although this does not fall within the scope of our expertise. It is the authorities who look for these people, but if we somehow could help, we have some experience... But we work in many countries - we have experience with exhumation - how to proceed and what to do in case of discovery of mass graves. How to work with the remains.
Another category in which we are particularly interested here in Chechnya is those affected by mines. Today in Chechnya the process of de-mining is on the way, and we are always ready to help. We have assessed the situation in order to know the specific needs of these people, and have developed a comprehensive approach, which includes economic, legal, and psycho-social assistance.

- How big are your resources?

 - Once a year we prepare a budget on the basis of the activities' plan. We have always had money for the implementation of our projects. We work with all those affected by the conflict, and unfortunately we cannot help them all. Sometimes we find Chechen NGOs or government agencies, and direct to them those whom we cannot help. Still primarily, we work with those who are really hurt.

 - In recent years in the North Caucasus humanitarian organizations are being closed, but the ICRC is continuing its activities. Why is that?

 - We're still needed, although we are already in a phase of recovery. There is still a lot of work in southern Chechnya. We are working on the restoration of remote villages, mainly regarding water supply. Recently we presented a project in the village of Betty Mokhk which operates not at the level of individual people, but at the level of the whole community. In addition, we are working in cooperation with the government, always trying to find a common language. And we almost manage. I think the authorities believe that our presence here is necessary, that there is an advantage in it.

- The ICRC is considered to be the guardian of international humanitarian law. Are you raising awareness about it?

- This is an important part of our mandate. We work with all the universities in the region. In Grozny, the subject is taught at the departments of law and journalism. We support them as well, we try to invite students to our international competitions. For example, students from the Chechen University are invited in April to participate in the F. Martens competition on International Humanitarian Law among the university teams from Russia, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine.

- Does your mission fall under the law on "foreign agents"?

 - As far as I understand, it does not affect us for two reasons. Firstly, we are not an NGO, but an international organization, i.e. we have a slightly different status. Secondly, our work is purely humanitarian. We generally enter neither into politics nor into debate, we make no judgement. When we are confronted with information that is considered more sensitive, we discuss it only with the authorities. With the press we discuss only that part which is already completed. This confidentiality helps us to avoid many problems.

- How are you celebrating the 150th anniversary?

 - This is not just a holiday, we also remember those who are no longer with us. In 1996, in Novye Atagi six of our employees were brutally killed, and 10 years ago, in August 2003, our officer Usman Saidulayev went missing, we are still searching for him. These moments should be remembered, we should remember those who actually gave their lives to this idea. Early next year, there will be the 150th anniversary of the adoption of the first Geneva Convention, and the centenary of the opening of the International Prisoners of War Agency, which still exists under the name of the International Center for Investigation. This agency is very popular among Russians. Our entire archive of the Second World War is stored there, and many turn to us with the hope to find their missing relatives.