Humanitarian Crisis in Artsakh Escalating Hour by Hour: Vardan Sargsyan

The humanitarian crisis in Artsakh is escalating hour by hour, and effective measures are urgently needed to address this issue. Vardan Sargsyan, a representative of the humanitarian crisis management working group in Artsakh, made this statement near the stranded supplies in Kornidzor.

"Discussions are ongoing; however, unfortunately, at this moment, I cannot provide any concrete updates. It is no longer a matter of days but rather hours, and the humanitarian crisis is worsening by the hour," Sargsyan noted.

He emphasized that there are currently no changes, as Azerbaijan refuses to open the illegally established checkpoint and allow humanitarian supplies into Artsakh.

When asked whether negotiations are underway with the Russian peacekeeping forces, Sargsyan replied that they have submitted a request, but there has been no update on the response yet.

It is worth recalling that on December 12, 2022, a group of Azerbaijanis in civilian clothes closed the Stepanakert-Goris highway connecting Artsakh to Armenia under environmental pretenses, and they left on April 28, as Azerbaijan established a checkpoint on the Lachin corridor on April 23, taking full control of it. Artsakh has also been deprived of gas and electricity supplied from Armenia.

On July 26, 19 trucks loaded with around 400 tons of essential goods departed from Yerevan towards Artsakh, which has been under blockade for more than 225 days. The trucks reached Kornidzor and stopped, waiting for a response from the Russian peacekeepers to continue through the road blocked by Azerbaijan on the Lachin corridor.