Armenia notifies Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh of incoming humanitarian convoy

YEREVAN, JULY 26, ARMENPRESS. Armenian authorities have expressed hope that the humanitarian aid intended for Nagorno-Karabakh will reach its destination without problems.

The aid consists of 400 tons of food and other essential products.

“A decision has been made to provide 400 tons of humanitarian support in the form of food and essential products. We’ve contacted the Russian peacekeeping forces with the goal of supplying the humanitarian aid to Nagorno-Karabakh,” said Vardan Sargsyan, a representative of the Armenian government task force managing the Nagorno-Karabakh humanitarian crisis response. He expressed hope that there’d be no problems related to transporting the aid.

The convoy consists of 19 trucks loaded with flour, cooking oil, baby food and other food products.

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.