Politics 13:45 30/12/2022 World

With Lachin Corridor blockage, Nagorno-Karabakh close to humanitarian catastrophe – Forbes

On December 27, 2022, UNICEF issued a statement warning about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), the result of the virtual closure of the Lachin Corridor, a road that links Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, the Forbes magazine says in a story.

As UNICEF warns, children are being affected by the blockage and “the longer the situation persists, the more children will experience the lack of basic food items, while access to many of the essential services they need for their survival, healthy growth and wellbeing will become more challenging.

Many children have also been deprived of parental care as they have been separated from their parents or legal guardians.” As Administrator Samantha Power, United States Agency for International Development, raised, “the Lachin Corridor must be re-opened immediately - the closure has the potential to cause a significant humanitarian crisis. This corridor is an essential route for the flow of much needed food and medical supplies that must be allowed to flow freely.”

As Human Rights Watch reported, “the sole road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia has been blocked since December 12, 2022, disrupting access to essential goods and services for tens of thousands of ethnic Armenians living there.” Furthermore, the blockage does not only prevent the delivery of essential items. It prevents Nagorno-Karabakh residents from moving freely from and to the region. Thousands of people are stranded and unable to reach their homes, including children who were on a school trip to Yerevan.

The Lachin Corridor has been blocked by Azerbaijani protesters since December 12, 2022, protesting about the issue of alleged illegal mining of natural resources in Nagorno-Karabakh. The protest, blocking the Lachin Corridor, halts the normal movement of people and goods in or out of Nagorno-Karabakh, including food, fuel, and medical supplies, resulting in shortages of the products there.

The issue has gained the attention of the U.N. Security Council. During a meeting of the U.N. Security Council on December 20, 2022, Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and Americas, Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, told the U.N. Security Council that “the current escalation of tension and incidents threatens to derail fragile progress and unleash a dangerous resumption of violence.” According to his statement, “tensions on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and around areas under control of Russian Federation peacekeeping forces have not abated.” The potential human toll of resumed conflict could be considerable. “It would not only impact people of Armenia and Azerbaijan, but the wider South Caucasus region and beyond. The parties [must] redouble efforts for a negotiated peaceful settlement before it is too late.” During the meeting, the representative of Armenia said that the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is close to turning into a humanitarian catastrophe.

Ambassador Robert A. Wood, Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, told the U.N. Security Council that “impediment to use the Lachin Corridor sets back the peace process and undermines the international confidence in it.” Mher Margaryan, Permanent Representative of Armenia to the United Nations, told the U.N. Security Council that “the ongoing blockade is not just one isolated case, but another demonstration of systematic violence used by the Azerbaijani authorities to subject the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to ethnic cleansing.” He added that “Azerbaijan is still disregarding the International Court of Justice Order on the Provisional Measures issued under the Convention on Elimination of Racial Discrimination against Azerbaijan in December 2021, in relation to the humanitarian obligations vis-à-vis the Armenian prisoners of war.”

"As the situation deteriorates, it cannot be stressed more that the commitments of the ceasefire of November 9, 2020, must be implemented and continue to be safeguarded. This includes ensuring the safe movement of persons, vehicles and goods along the Lachin Corridor. Furthermore, humanitarian organizations and United Nations agencies, especially the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees must be granted immediate, free and unhindered access to the affected populations to provide them with the needed assistance," Forbes says.



Source Panorama.am
Share |

Newsfeed

17:00
Temperatures to drop in Armenia
Rain and thunderstorms are expected in Armenia’s regions during the weekend and next week. Fog is possible in some areas, the national...
16:56
Two Artsakh child brothers killed in Azeri attack laid to rest in Armenia's Masis
Two child brothers from Artsakh, who were killed in last week’s Azerbaijani military offensive, on Saturday were laid to rest at the...
16:32
March in support of Ruben Vardanyan starts in Yerevan
A march started in central Yerevan late on Saturday afternoon to express solidarity with prominent Armenian businessman, philanthropist,...
15:55
Lemkin Institute accuses world leaders of complicity in genocide in Nagorno-Karabakh
The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention has criticized the United States for "bothsidesism" and its "delusional belief"...
15:33
David Babayan arrested in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani authorities have arrested Artsakh presidential advisor David Babayan, TASS reported on Saturday, citing the Azerbaijani Prosecutor...
15:05
Over 360 Artsakh patients continue treatment in Armenia, minister says
A total of 361 people evacuated from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) to Armenia continue their treatment in the country’s medical centers,...
14:33
Cyprus considers sheltering Karabakh Armenian refugees
European Union member Cyprus on Friday said it was considering ways to host, if needed, displaced ethnic Armenians who had fled...
14:06
Azerbaijan destroys monument to Artsakh Liberation War in Hadrut
Azerbaijani forces have destroyed a monument commemorating the Artsakh Liberation War in Ukhtadzor, a village in the Hadrut region of Artsakh...
13:35
Artak Beglaryan: Almost no Armenians left in Artsakh
Almost no Armenians have been left in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), Artak Beglaryan, a former Artsakh ombudsman and state minister, said in a...
13:09
Political analyst blames Pashinyan's policy for loss of Artsakh, major challenges facing Armenia
Political analyst Arman Ghukasyan has blamed the Armenian government’s “reckless” policy for the fall of Artsakh...
12:30
Over 100,400 displaced people cross into Armenia from Artsakh
More than 100,400 forcibly displaced people have crossed into Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) in a mass exodus triggered by last...
12:04
'People are tired, full of anxiety': UN agencies say Karabakh emergency escalates
Over 88,000 refugees from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) have fled to Armenia in less than a week and humanitarian needs are surging, the UN refugee...
11:35
UN to send mission to Artsakh ‘over the weekend’
The United Nations will send a mission to Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) for the first time in about 30 years following last week's...
11:28
March, rally to be held in Yerevan on Saturday
A march and a rally are scheduled to be held in Yerevan on Saturday. The march starts near Matenadaran at 3 p.m. to show support for the...
11:01
Armenia files suit against Azerbaijan at UN court
Armenia has filed a lawsuit against Azerbaijan with the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United...
17:05
Former deputy chief of Artsakh army taken captive by Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan’s State Security Service has taken captive Davit Manukyan, a former deputy commander of Artsakh’s (Nagorno-Karabakh)...
16:46
Armenia's Simonyan says not surprised that Turkey, Azerbaijan and Russia 'are often using the same rhetoric'
Azerbaijan’s actions are not confined to Nagorno-Karabakh but extend to the sovereign territories of Armenia, some of which remain under...
16:24
Moscow to discuss extension of Karabakh peacekeeping mission with Baku – Kremlin
The possibility of extension of the Russian peacekeeping mission in Nagorno-Karabakh will be discussed with Azerbaijan, Sputnik reported on...
16:11
Artsakh, Azerbaijani representatives hold fresh talks
Representatives from Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) and Azerbaijan started a new round of talks in the town of Yevlakh late on Friday afternoon,...
15:52
Global humanitarian leaders stand in solidarity with Ruben Vardanyan
Global humanitarian leaders have expressed support for Ruben Vardanyan, a prominent Armenian businessman and philanthropist who was abducted and...
15:36
Some Artsakh refugees died on their way to Armenia, minister says
Armenian Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan has confirmed that some of the Artsakh Armenians, who had to flee their homes following last...
14:59
Azeri forces capture former Artsakh army commander
Azerbaijani security guards captured Lieutenant-General Levon Mnatsakanyan, a former commander of Artsakh’s armed forces, late on Friday...
14:36
March in support of Ruben Vardanyan to be held in Yerevan
A march will be held in Yerevan on Saturday in a show of support for Ruben Vardanyan, a prominent Armenian businessman and...
14:06
Ex-minister: We all betrayed 120,000 Artsakh Armenians
Former Armenian Finance Minister Vardan Aramyan claims Armenia “has betrayed” 120,000 Artsakh people. "We all betrayed...
13:36
Artsakh servicemen can join Armenia's military, official says
The situation along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border is relatively stable, Armenia’s Deputy Defense Minister Arman Sargsyan said on Friday....
12:58
Levon Kocharyan's lawyers ask appellate court to overturn his arrest
The lawyers of former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan’s son, Levon Kocharyan, have challenged his arrest in the appellate court....
12:43
Mayor of Artsakh's Martuni buried at Yerevan military pantheon
Those killed in last week’s Azerbaijani military aggression against Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) are being laid to rest at Yerevan’s...
12:26
Death toll from Artsakh fuel depot blast climbs to 170
The death toll from an explosion at a fuel depot in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) has jumped to 170 people, local authorities announced on Friday....
11:59
Aznavour Foundation says everything must be done for Ruben Vardanyan's release
The Aznavour Foundation has expressed support for prominent Armenian businessman and philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan, saying every effort...
11:36
Over 84,700 displaced people cross into Armenia from Artsakh
More than 84,700 forcibly displaced people have crossed into Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) amid a mass exodus following...

Follow us and get updates!

Most popular articles

{"core.blocks.header.spell_message1":"Selected mistake: ","core.blocks.header.spell_message2":"Send a message about the mistake?"}