YEREVAN, JANUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. The government of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) is planning to issue ration stamps for food and other essential products amid the ongoing Azeri blockade.

Azerbaijan is keeping the Lachin Corridor blocked since December 12, 2022. The corridor is the only road connection and supply route of Artsakh with Armenia and the rest of the world.

The mechanisms for introducing the system have already been developed, the government said following a meeting chaired by State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, who heads the emergency headquarters of the government during the blockade.

The ration stamps will initially be applied for several types of essential products. The system will be introduced within several days.

After holding town hall meetings across Artsakh, the State Minister said that the meetings proved that “the hardships of the blockade did not break the people’s spirit”. He said the people have brought forward questions and issues. “Three types of issues were raised – local issues concerning the specific settlement, general issues requiring systemic solutions, and complaints. There are also urgent issues which must be solved as a priority,” Vardanyan said, adding that most questions concerned the ration stamp system.

“The meeting also addressed the possibility of transporting severely-ill patients through the International Committee of the Red Cross - ICRC, as well as reuniting separated families with minors. Coordinated work with the ICRC was highlighted in these directions,” the government of Artsakh said in a readout.

The situation in the food, medication, petroleum and diesel fuel markets, as well as ongoing work to ensure uninterrupted energy and water supply, and functioning of other infrastructures was discussed.