Housing is still the major issue for refugees in North Ossetia

For almost two decades already, the problems of forced migrants now living in North Ossetia have been vexed both for the people and for the republic. For almost 20 years refugees live in hostels, barracks, sheds and cellars, which had been provided by the republic's leadership, and the housing issue is still the main one for them.

In North Ossetia, the regional social movement "Forced Migrant" was set up. Its task is to defend the interests of the so-called "first flow" migrants, i.e., those who had suffered during the first Georgian aggression.

"Set up of our organization was not occasional. For 20 years, forced migrants live in intolerable conditions, and our movement was set up for defending their interests and representing them in governmental bodies," said Nikolai Kudzesov, chairman of the North-Ossetian regional social movement "Forced Migrant".

He was accompanied by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent in visiting the Temporary Accommodation Centre (TAC) located in the Yuzhny settlement in a suburb of Vladikavkaz. In total, the republic has 39 TACs for forced migrants.

"Earlier, Ingushes lived here, now forced migrants occupy these facilities for 18 years. Houses are in emergency condition, and nobody helps to repair them and bring to due state. Roofs are leaking and falling, floors get rotten, but dwellers try to do something themselves," said Mr Kudzesov.

Living in such conditions is a burden, but hopes for housing certificates are scanty - the republic with over 12,000 refugees gets only two certificates per year. Besides, owners of the houses can any time demand to move out.

According to the leader of the public organization, there are many refugees and forced migrants who live in the territory of the republic in hostels, cellars and sheds. And even from these facilities they are ousted by court judgements, as was the case with the hostel of the Agrarian Academy, whence tenants are moving out as the building is at risk to collapse.

The source of the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent sees only one way out: Moscow should finance the housing construction for forced migrants in North Ossetia under a separate programme.