Is the commission intending to take action to improve the tragic health conditions of Chechen children?

Mr Hasan Gadayev, Head of the "Maternity and Children's Health" Department of the pro-Russian Chechen administration, has stated that over 80% of children in Chechnya have health problems. This information was published in the framework of a health survey covering the whole of the territory of the Russian Federation, during which 320,000 children were subject to a routine medical check-up in Chechnya.

According to Mr Gadayev, the problems are mainly of a neurological and psychological type, although many children also suffer from anaemia and from endocrinological and gastro-intestinal problems. Furthermore, over 40% of children suffer from sight and hearing pathologies, while 70% of those examined have tuberculosis. Among the long list of negative factors affecting children's health, Mr Gadayev underlined the interruption of their school education, the existence of overcrowded classes and the lack of hot meals and exercise. Mr Gadayev concluded by pointing out that "the consequences of the war will unfortunately have a substantial impact on the health of our children for many years to come".

Although they are perfectly aware of this disastrous situation, neither the Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid nor the President of the Commission have ever deemed it necessary to visit Chechnya to evaluate the exact extent of the problem and to identify the initiatives necessary to find solutions to this tragedy.

Question from Olivier Dupuis, Member of the European Parliament, Radical, to the Commission:

"Does the President of the Commission or a member of the Commission intend to visit Chechnya before the end of the mandate of this Commission to gather all the information necessary in order to plan a special EU initiative capable of providing a concrete response to the tragedy which is taking place? In particular, what concrete action does the Commission finally intend to take in order to bring real help to the Chechen children facing such a catastrophic health situation? Finally, does the Commission intend to recommend that the member states should act together to organise a special humanitarian operation to bring the thousands of Chechen children who need special treatment to hospitals and clinics in the member states of the EU?"

[27.11.2003 19:52] TRP