Red Cross evacuates 17 patients from blockaded Nagorno Karabakh

YEREVAN, JULY 7, ARMENPRESS. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on July 7 facilitated the evacuation of 17 patients from Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia for treatment, the Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) Healthcare Ministry said in a statement.

The 17 patients were accompanied by their attendants and ICRC staff.

15 other patients, together with their attendants, who were previously evacuated and have completed treatment, will be taken back to Nagorno Karabakh by the ICRC later on July 7.

44 children are hospitalized in the Arevik clinic in Artsakh. Five of them are in neonatal and intensive care.

87 patients are hospitalized in the Artsakhi capital Stepanakert’s Republican Medical Center. 5 of them are in intensive care, 4 of whom are critically-ill.

Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno Karabakh with Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since late 2022. The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations’ highest court – the International Court of Justice (ICJ) - ordered Azerbaijan to “take all steps at its disposal” to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. Moreover, Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor. The blockade has led to shortages of essential products such as food and medication. Azerbaijan has also cut off gas and power supply into Nagorno Karabakh, with officials warning that Baku seeks to commit ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh. Hospitals have suspended normal operations and the Red Cross has been facilitating the medical evacuations of patients.