Action Against Hunger condemns the attacks on the civilian population in Nagorno-Karabakh, which has further endangered the lives of the region’s 120,000 inhabitants. Since Azerbaijan launched a military offensive yesterday, artillery fire and drone attacks have been reported in the disputed region and has resulted in several civilian deaths and injuries. All parties should be reminded that civilians must never be targeted in armed conflicts.
Since April 2023, Nagorno-Karabakh had been suffering from a military blockade which entrapped the enclave’s ethnic Armenian population and limited vital supplies of food and medicines.
Marcella Maxfield, Regional Director for Action Against Hunger South Caucasus Mission, stated: “For the past three years we have been supporting families who have fled Nagorno-Karabakh and who have had to rebuild their lives in Armenia. A long-lasting solution needs to be urgently found to this unresolved conflict so that the people in the region can start to live and prosper in a peaceful and secure environment”.
“Action Against Hunger’s team on the ground in Armenia has been following closely the most recent developments in Nagorno-Karabakh and we strongly condemn the attacks on the civilian population, which further worsens an already dire situation. Access is imperative – now more so than before – to ensure that humanitarian assistance can reach the affected people”.
Action Against Hunger denounced the closure of the Lachin corridor – the only transport link between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia – which has created a humanitarian crisis that puts the 120,000 people at high risk and severely limits their access to essential goods and services.
In addition, the worsening situation has increased the mental health care needs of the population and created severe restrictions on humanitarian assistance which have resulted in food shortages and the displacement of many people. Following the agreement of a ceasefire today between both sides, it is imperative that negotiations lead to the increased civilian protection and the reopening of routes for humanitarian aid.
Action Against Hunger in South Caucasus
Action Against Hunger has been providing humanitarian aid in Armenia to support displaced people from Nagorno-Karabakh since the resumption of the conflict in 2020, when it began providing food, health, and hygiene supplies to those fleeing the conflict. These activities were expanded to include the establishment of safe spaces for children and families, as well as social protection and explosive ordnance awareness.
In addition to our interventions in the South Caucasus as a whole, Action Against Hunger has always remained vocal about the consequences of not addressing this forgotten humanitarian crisis as soon as possible.