Find help
Article

Azerbaijan: Activity highlights for 2024

On-site visits in the frame of the Missing Conference emphasize our collaborative efforts in humanitarian identification and exhumation with the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages, and Missing Persons of the Azerbaijan Republic.
Aida Aliyeva

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian organization working to safeguard the lives and dignity of people suffering from the consequences of conflict and other violence. We have been present in the region since 1992, working alongside national authorities to address humanitarian needs stemming from conflict.

 

In 2024, taking note of the change in the context, the ICRC realigned its activities. By midyear, all assistance programs were phased out, and support for further development and capacity building of the local specialists as well as institutions continued and deepened. Together with the Azerbaijani institutions, we continued supporting those affected by conflict, focusing on missing people, raising awareness of the risk of weapon contamination, providing mental health and psychosocial support, conducting detention visits, and promoting international humanitarian law (IHL).

In particular, in partnership with the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons of the Azerbaijan Republic (State Commission), we continued to support forensic efforts related to the exhumation and identification of human remains, to assist authorities in clarifying the fate of  approximately 4000 missing people. We also contributed to Landmines and Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE), reaching tens of thousands through awareness sessions in partnership with the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society (AzRCS) and Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA). The 17th meeting of the Senior Workshop on International Rules governing Military Operations was conducted jointly with the Ministry of Defense hosting almost 100 high-ranking military officials representing 71 countries. During the year, we also contributed to the capacity development of AzRCS staff and volunteers and some of its field units for the continuity of their humanitarian services to the communities.

In line with our mandate under the Geneva Conventions, we continued our work on behalf of people deprived of freedom and protected civilians.

3,342

families of missing people were contacted by accompaniers trained by ICRC specialists and 73 received basic psychosocial support.

44,231

people enhanced their knowledge of the risk associated with weapon contamination and information on adopting safer behaviour through risk awareness and safer behaviour sessions conducted by ICRC-trained volunteers of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent.

788

family contacts (phone calls, Red Cross Messages and video messages) were facilitated between people detained in relation to the armed conflict and their families. 

2,044

psychological support sessions were conducted for 101 repatriated children and caretakers by ICRC-supported national mental health professionals.

2,875

community members increased their awareness on first aid through Mobile first-aid posts and two-day first-aid sessions by seven AzRCS branches with Emergency Mobile Volunteer Teams (EMVT) with the ICRC’s support.

695

military personnel of different ranks from the MoD participated in IHL seminars, strengthening their understanding of humanitarian principles in armed conflict.

2024_Fin_ENG(1).pdf
PDF file
133.21 KB