Siberians Rebound from Economic Crisis with Food Assistance

Written by Stephanie Kriner, Staff Writer, RedCross.org

April 8, 2002 — Siberia is a land vast in natural resources and beauty, yet nature has dealt it a cruel hand. The 5.2 million square miles that makes up eastern Russia rivals top suppliers in the trades of diamonds, gold, petroleum and other natural resources, but they are virtually unreachable beneath Siberia's frozen earth, thickly coated with ice almost year round. Long, harsh winters, a short growing season and permafrost on the ground also hinder the harvest of much-needed food in the region.

Reisdents of Siberia must deal with a harsh climate nearly all year round.

It came as no surprise, then, that the effects of Russia's 1999 economic crisis hit Siberia especially hard. For a people already struggling to survive in a harsh climate, the situation nearly turned desperate.

Recognizing a pending disaster emerging from the combination of economic and natural factors in Siberia, the American Red Cross launched a series of programs following the crisis. Today, those programs remain in place to help the area's most at-risk populations and institutions.

"The most vulnerable are more greatly affected by this disaster but fortunately, they are our primary target in a current feeding program and continue to receive American Red Cross assistance," said Ramsey Rayyis, Russia's head of regional delegation for the American Red Cross in Moscow.

Already pushed into financial distress as a result of the Russian economic reform policies begun in 1991 after the breakup of the Soviet Union, vulnerable populations such as single mothers, multi-children households, the elderly, the disabled and children, bore the brunt of the suffering. Government-run institutions such as orphanages and hospitals also suffered, and many, struggling to operate on as little 30 percent of necessary budgets, were unable to provide the most basic needs.

Relief organizations including the Russian Red Cross were also affected by the economic situation and could do little to ease the suffering of people who were malnourished, susceptible to disease and in need of more help than ever before.

The American Red Cross distribution -- completed with the assistance of the Russian Red Cross -- became the organization's largest feeding project worldwide. The program, once valued at $15.5 million with support from the United States Department of Agriculture, has helped supplement a nutritional diet for nearly 2 million elderly, disabled, institutionalized, orphaned and needy people throughout Eastern Siberia over the past three years.

The American Red Cross has operated a major feeding project in Russia since 1998.

"It's important to have a food program like this one because these people are living under harsh conditions… Their resources are limited and many people who once relied on government assistance have nowhere else to turn," said Amy Mintz, regional manager for the American Red Cross.

Luckily, the Red Cross also was able to provide food during one of Siberia's harshest winters, last year when temperatures in some areas dipped to their lowest temperatures in 30 years.

The American Red Cross has responded to some of the overwhelming needs of this struggling population since 1998, when the banking crisis and subsequent collapse of the Russian ruble following the Asian financial crisis led to widespread wage declines and an increase in poverty. Today some 40 million Russians live on less than $1 U.S. per day, according to an International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies report.

However, although many people are still struggling, the Russian economy has begun to bounce back. Each year since the Red Cross feeding program began, the Russian government has requested less assistance. This year, just 53,000 people are receiving food aid, which includes flour, rice, beans and vegetable oil.

"The program was phased down last year and will end this year," said Jacqueline Greene, manager of American Red Cross projects in Russia. "This phase-out was possible because of the Russian government's improved capacity to support social assistance programs. This year the Russian economy grew and there was a successful harvest."