Operational update on Armenia/Azerbaijan: Evacuations of people wounded by weapons bolster humanitarian response

Though a cease-fire was declared on September 20, the humanitarian consequences of the military escalation are still felt across the region. Communities have been displaced, relatives have lost contact with each other, and information indicates that people wounded during the hostilities still need assistance.

On 18 September, the ICRC for the first time organized a simultaneous delivery of much-needed shipments of wheat flour and essential medical items via the Lachin corridor and Aghdam road. Since then, the ICRC has carried out the following humanitarian work:

• Medical supplies were donated to military and civilian hospitals, including new donations on Friday.
• 28,000 diapers were distributed for children this week.
• 200 warm blankets were donated to a shelter housing internally displaced people.
• 1,000 litres of diesel were donated to the biggest medical center to be used for generators to ensure their operational capacity.
• 500 litres of diesel were donated to the Water Board serving the biggest populated area to power generators providing water to the town.

ICRC teams have also started registering people who are looking for unaccompanied children or who otherwise lost contact with loved ones. Residents have also approached the ICRC to help evacuate the bodies of deceased relatives.

The humanitarian situation in the region has been dire in recent months due to the restricted ability to move goods to areas in need. Basic commodities have been hard to find and access to health care has been extremely limited.

The ICRC plans to increase its emergency response and is negotiating with the decision makers on the deliveries of food and hygiene items.

About the ICRC

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a neutral, impartial and independent organization with an exclusively humanitarian mandate that stems from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. It helps people around the world affected by armed conflict and other violence, doing everything it can to protect their lives and dignity and to relieve their suffering, often alongside its Red Cross and Red Crescent partners.