On 27 September 2020, at 7:00 a.m., fierce fighting broke out in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, where there is a long-standing dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Unmanned aerial vehicles - drones, military aircraft, artillery and armoured vehicles were used in the attacks. The bombing has hit towns and villages in the conflict zone. Locals fear that the local conflict will escalate into a serious war.
Immediately after the outbreak of the conflict, an ADRA International crisis team began working to assess the current situation, identify needs and coordinate international humanitarian assistance.
ADRA has offices registered in both Azerbaijan and Armenia. Both are actively involved in assisting the civilian population. As a humanitarian organisation, we adhere to the principles of neutrality and impartiality and are not involved in any way in the military-political aspects of the conflict. However, we monitor the most acute needs of people in need on both sides and organise the necessary humanitarian assistance.
Identified Needs:
- After the first days of fighting, the conflict has claimed more than 300 military casualties and dozens of civilian deaths, including children.
- Thousands of people are fleeing the fighting area and have had to hurriedly leave their homes.
- People in underground shelters don't have enough food, supplies tie up
- Food and toiletries are needed
- Great need for medicines and medical supplies
- Necessary psychosocial assistance to local sufferers of post-traumatic shock, including women and children
On the very next day of the conflict, ADRA began operating in the area. It distributed food and hygiene packages to civilians who had fled and were left homeless. ADRA's international network provided financial assistance to alleviate the humanitarian crisis.
Roza Gabrielyan (82) shared her story with us, „It was early in the morning of September 27. We were awakened by heavy gunfire and bombing. It was hard to imagine what was probably going on. But it continued. People were running away in confusion to find underground shelter. We spent the whole night in terrible fear. Early the next morning, families with small children gathered, packed their belongings and were evacuated in small groups. The men stayed behind to defend the town. In order to avoid bombing, the journey took five hours longer than usual. I have diabetes, it was difficult for me to leave, but my granddaughter refused to leave without me. She took us to the place where we now live together with 12 other people. Thank God for the compassionate people who gave us shelter in their homes...“
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