Repatriation, resettlement and reintegration into Crimean society of the deported Tatar nation (UKR/94/008)

Description

The indigenous population of Crimea, the Crimean Tatars, was forcibly deported to various Central Asian Republics of the USSR in 1944 for alleged collaboration with Nazi Germany. In the process of deportation, some 46% of the population perished within a two year period. During the post-war Soviet period, the Tatars were, as a rule, not permitted to return to their homeland. In 1989, however, as a result of efforts initiated by the Government of the USSR, a repatriation programme began, allowing for the return of some 50,000 persons per year. Since gaining independence in 1991, Ukraine has been financing this programme - largely unassisted - and some 250,000 of the estimated 550,000 Crimean Tatar population have returned. Recently, however, conditions have arisen which impede a steady and phased resettlement programme - namely, the extreme economic crisis in Ukraine, political and ethnic factors in Crimea, and legal exigencies in certain Central Asian Republics, where the remaining Tatar population is resident. The objectives of this project are (a) to assist the returning population through the provision of building materials, municipal services and residential dwellings, as well as through the establishment of schools and vocational training facilities, and (b) to support the the integration of the population into Crimean society through the strengthening of community-based services (hospitals and clinics, libraries, community centres and and small- scale enterprise promotion centres).

Expected results

The project would, while redressing a great historical tragedy, accelerate the resettlement and reintegration process, lessen ethnic tensions on the peninsula and contribute to greater political stability in the region.

Special features

Repatriation; housing and resettlement; infrastructure-building, health; education; vocational training; smale-scale enterprise promotion.

UN rationale

The United Nations has considerable experience in conducting resettlement programmes and has unique authority to undertake an international fund-raising campaign.

Duration

June 1994 - June 1999

Implementation

United Nations Development Programme (Office of Project Services and the Humanitarian Programme), Habitat, UNESCO and other agencies.

Financing

UNDP (IPF): US $250,000

Government: US $2,000,000

Other donors: US $15,000,000

Donor support

An international appeal will be launched to secure funding for the project.

UN/UNDP contact

Christophe Bahuet United Nations Office, Kiev, Ukraine

Tel: (38044) 293-9363 Fax: (38044) 293-2607

E-mail: registry@un.kiev.ua

Christophe Bouvier Senior Project Officer, Office of Project Services, UNDP, New York

Tel: (212) 906-6810 Fax: (212) 906-6903

E-mail: christophe.bouvier@undp.org

 

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