Amnesty International about the deepening humanitarian disaster in Artsakh

The only road connecting Armenia to Artsakh has been closed for more than two months. The international human rights organization Amnesty International spoke about human rights violations and humanitarian disaster as a result of the blockade in its statement, calling on Azerbaijan and the Russian peacekeeping troops to immediately remove the blockade of the Lachin Corridor and put an end to the humanitarian crisis that is deepening day by day.

The international human rights organization emphasized that the 120,000 Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh have limited access to medical care, people have been left without essential goods and services, including life-saving medicines and health care, children’s right to education has been violated, because the Azerbaijanis have denied gas supplies. As a result of disruptions and lack of food, kindergartens are not functioning, schools are partially functioning.

As a result of the lack of medical supplies, planned operations are postponed, people with chronic diseases and disabilities suffer from the lack of medicine.

As a result of the closure of the road for two months, fresh fruit and vegetables have disappeared from shops in Artsakh, milk and eggs, when they appear, a line immediately forms in front of the shop. Basic food items are sold with coupons.

“Once every month, you can buy half a kilogram of rice, pasta, sugar and one liter of oil,” Artsakh residents told the representatives of the organization.

Citing interviews with local medical workers and residents, the organization stated that risk groups, including women, the elderly and people with disabilities, are particularly affected by the blockade.

Through interviews with residents, Amnesty International found that women generally tend to give more food to other family members at the expense of themselves. Health workers interviewed by Amnesty International noted a significant increase in cases of immunodeficiency, anemia, worsening thyroid disease and diabetes among women and children, a direct result of food shortages.

Naira Karapetyan is a mother of two children. She told Amnesty International. “There is no fruit or vegetables for more than a month. Whatever food I find, I feed my children first, I am satisfied with the surplus.”

“Maternal health is at serious risk”

Artsakh medical workers informed Amnesty International about the increase in complications among pregnant women. In addition, miscarriages and premature births increased because expectant mothers were unable to get the vital medicines and nutrients they needed during pregnancy.

As a result of the lack of food, medical supplies and medicines, maternal health has been put in serious danger.

Full text in Armenian