VLADIKAVKAZ, April 9 (RIA Novosti, Albina Olisayeva) - The UN High Commissioner for Refugees arrived Sunday in North Ossetia, a Russian republic in the North Caucasus, to discuss the refugee situation and commemorate the victims of a terrorist attack on a Beslan school.
Antonio Guterres said his first task was to commemorate the victims of the Beslan tragedy, in which 331 people had died, including 186 children, to demonstrate his full solidarity with the people of North Ossetia.
He also said he intended to discuss cooperation with the government of the republic.
According to Guterres, the people and the government of North Ossetia have given shelter to a large number of refugees, providing them conditions for integration.
Under a joint program to give accommodation to refugees from South Ossetia and Georgia, the authorities of North Ossetia built 160 houses on the territory of the republic from 2000 to 2005. Another 6,000 refugees from various places currently need accommodation in the republic.
On April 10, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees will go to Ingushetia and Chechnya, also situated in the North Caucasus.
