The Use Of Cluster Sampling To Determine Aid Needs In Grozny, Chechnya In 1995

War broke out in Chechnya in November 1994 following a three-year economic blockade. It caused widespread destruction in the capital Grozny. In April 1995 Medical Relief International -- or Merlin, a British medical non-governmental organisation (NGO) - began a programme to provide medical supplies, support health centres, control comunicable disease and promote preventive health-cave in Grozny. In July, 1995 the agency undertook a city-wide needs assessment using a modification of the cluster sampling technique developed by the Expanded Programme or Immunisation, This showed that most people had enough drinking-water; food and fuel but that provision of medical care was inadequate. The survey allow ed Merlin to redirect resources earmark ked for a clean water programme towards health education and improving primary health-care services. It also showed that rapid assessment by, a statistically satisfactory method is both possible and useful in such a situation.