Urgent Humanitarian Aid Floods Nagorno-Karabakh: A Ray of Hope Amidst the Crisis
Red Cross delivers vital humanitarian aid to Nagorno-Karabakh following the recent ceasefire, marking the first assistance since Azerbaijan's offensive ended
A humanitarian aid convoy from the Red Cross entered Nagorno-Karabakh on Saturday, marking the first delivery since the end of Azerbaijan's offensive, facilitated by a Russian-brokered ceasefire. The convoy, organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), carried approximately 70 metric tons of humanitarian supplies, such as wheat flour, salt, dried yeast, and sunflower oil. The ICRC released a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, detailing the contents of the convoy.
According to the ICRC, the assistance was transported via the Lachin corridor, the sole route linking Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. Since December 2022, Azerbaijan has imposed a blockade on this road, rendering it impassable for both civilian and commercial vehicles.
The ICRC stated that they conducted a medical evacuation for 17 individuals injured in the conflict and provided aid in the form of medical supplies and body bags. Furthermore, in response to the significant humanitarian needs, the ICRC is expanding their presence in the area by deploying specialized personnel in health, forensics, protection, and weapons contamination.
ICRC vehicles transport humanitarian aid for residents of Nagorno-Karabakhtowards the Armenia-Azerbaijan border on September 23.
Irkali Gedenidze/Reuters
Nagorno-Karabakh, known as Artsakh to Armenians, is a landlocked region in the Caucasus Mountains and lies within Azerbaijans borders.
With an international recognition as part of Azerbaijan, it houses approximately 120,000 ethnic Armenians who form the majority of its inhabitants and disapprove of Azerbaijani governance. This region has been at the center of intense conflicts between Armenia and Azerbaijan for the past three decades.
Despite a Russian peacekeeping presence, tensions have been simmering around the region for months.
Russian peacekeepers evacuate civilians following Azerbaijan's offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh, September 21, 2023.
Russian Defence Ministry/Reuters
What are the implications for the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh as Azerbaijan retakes control? In December, Azerbaijani forces effectively isolated Nagorno-Karabakh by blocking the Lachin corridor, its sole road link to Armenia. This action has resulted in a severe shortage of food for approximately 120,000 people residing in the region.
Officials reported that a military operation by Azerbaijan resulted in the loss of over 200 lives and left more than 400 individuals injured this week. In response, the defense ministry of Azerbaijan declared an "anti-terrorist" campaign in the area. On Saturday, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti disclosed that Russia has provided 50 tons of aid, such as rations and essential supplies, to Stepanakert, the capital of the region.
US Senator Gary Peters, currently leading a US Congressional Delegation in Armenia, visited the Lachin corridor blockade along with the US ambassador to Armenia, Kristina Kvien, and governor of Syunik province in Armenia, Robert Ghukasyan. Peters expressed his concern for the well-being of families affected by the situation, stating, "I have spoken to numerous individuals who are deeply troubled by the plight of their loved ones and what they have endured."
According to him, they are well aware of their prolonged suffering caused by the blockade, which has resulted in shortages of food, medical supplies, as well as basic gasoline and petrol. Expressing deep concern, he emphasized that the situation is extremely dire based on the information he has received.
