As the Armenian Caritas is already present near the border to assist evacuees leaving Nagorno-Karabakh, the international confederation mobilizes funds and calls all parties to respect human rights.
Over 60,000 Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh have fled to Armenia following a nine-month-long blockade of the region and the military intervention. Caritas Internationalis and Caritas Europa stress that all people who have fled the crisis must receive humanitarian assistance.
“Any aggression against civilians is unacceptable. People who have fled the crisis must receive protection and humanitarian assistance. Their rights, including those of safe passage and freedom of movement, must be fully upheld. People must be free to remain in their homes, and those who have fled should be allowed to return should they wish,” Alistair Dutton, Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis.
Armenian Caritas is present in the southern border region where evacuees are entering Armenia as well as in four other regions of the country and in the capital Yerevan. Armenian Caritas continues to monitor the situation and has started to respond to the needs of the displaced people in adherence to humanitarian principles.
Armenian Caritas has significant expertise in the provision of humanitarian aid, including livelihood, shelter, and cash assistance, from prior experience in emergency response to the conflict in 2020 between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
“Caritas Europa members have immediately begun mobilizing funds and are regularly in communication with Armenian Caritas to accompany them in their response,” Maria Nyman, Secretary General of Caritas Europa.
Caritas Internationalis and Caritas Europa call on all concerned parties to respect international humanitarian law to ensure the safety and rights of displaced persons during their journey and to provide them with the necessary assistance upon arrival. Given the major food shortages and lack of access to electricity and water within Nagorno-Karabakh, it is crucial to fully allow for rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access and freedom of movement in and out of Nagorno-Karabakh.
“At this crucial point in time, it is also essential that both the EU and UN step up their support for the humanitarian response in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia, with particular attention and funding allocated to local humanitarian actors who are able to effectively and quickly respond to the situation and help those in need,” Gagik Tarasyan, Executive Director of Armenian Caritas.
