UN agencies and partners provided assistance to over 17,000 people following Artsakh war

YEREVAN, JANUARY 8, ARMENPRESS. As a result of the heaviest fighting since the early 1990’s, approximately 90,000 people were displaced from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone to Armenia between 27 September and 9 November 2020, 88% of whom being women and children, the UN Office in Armenia said in a news release.

The UN in Armenia quickly mobilized a response and from early October began complementing Government humanitarian support provided by ten priority municipalities as well as the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs to those displaced.

The UNtogether with its donor partnershas provided support across a range of critical needs for those displaced and host communities:

In particular, from15 Octoberuntil now, the UN agencies and partners have responded with the distribution of33,330non-food items, including bedding items, towels, hygiene supplies, and household items. A total of6,800individual kits and805family kits were distributed in various locations, including Yerevan.500packages of baby diapers were provided to spontaneous arrivals from Nagorno-Karabakh in Goris, Sisian and Kapan. As part of the winterization response,1,475bedding kits, including bed linen, pillows and winter blankets, were distributed in Dilijan, Sisian and Kapan. Additional21,000winter blankets and648heaters were distributed across different regions.2,250children in Vardenis, Kotyak, Hrazdan and Goris benefited from warm clothing.

In response toshelter needs,1,000foldable beds have been distributed to families mainly in Gegharkunik, Tavush, Syunik and Kotyak. In addition, the payment of utilities costs for64facilities was covered.

Achild protectionhotline and helpline for social service workforce professionals was established, providing 24/7 response, advice and guidance on child protection cases.940social service workforce professionals (social workers, teachers, school psychologists, youth workers) were trained and skilled to be able to provide psychological first aid and mental health and psychosocial support.355children,520adolescents, and394parents have benefited from mental health and psychosocial support, including through individual and group interventions, art and music.1,257people received case management support, including referrals and provision of care packages.25adolescents from Nagorno-Karabakh were trained as peer support volunteers for continuous provision of mental health and psychosocial support to adolescents.100at-home art kits were distributed to the most vulnerable adolescents.

To addresseducation needs11,500 displaced school-age children from Nagorno-Karabakh who are currently enrolled in secondary education in Armenia were supported. Peer-to-peer learning was initiated through a network of peer educators for100students from Nagorno-Karabakh located in Armavir.

To alleviateFood Security and Nutritionissues,assistance reached17,965people with hundreds of metric tons of food assistance in November and December.

The UN and partners supported the Ministry of Health’s efforts in providinghealth servicesto both citizens of Armenia and the spontaneous arrivals, for example100Oxygen Concentrators and other COVID-19 supplies were provided to the Ministry. A UK Emergency medical team was deployed in Armenia for case management and on-the-job training in the “Surb Grigor Lusarovich” medical center and the National Center of Infectious Diseases.