The exodus of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh continues as the situation in the region remains tense. Residents are fleeing en masse from the separatist enclave following Azerbaijan’s victory. The UN announced the sending of a mission to the region to assess humanitarian needs, a first in almost 30 years.
According to the latest official figures, more than 100,000 people have already left the enclave and entered Armenia since the capitulation of Nagorno-Karabakh. This number represents more than 80% of the Armenian population that lived in the region before the Azerbaijani offensive. Most refugees end up in reception centers where the state provides them with accommodation.
The UN has obtained authorization to visit Nagorno-Karabakh to assess the humanitarian needs of the population. This mission aims to provide urgent aid to refugees and assess the material damage caused by the fighting. The violence has already left nearly 600 dead and the fighting has killed around 200 soldiers on each side.
Meanwhile, the political situation in Armenia is also tense. Opponents of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian demonstrate in the streets of Yerevan to express their anger at his management of the crisis. They accuse him of passivity and of not having known how to protect Nagorno-Karabakh. The arrests of officials in the enclave and accusations of “terrorism” by Azerbaijan are fueling tension.
Nagorno-Karabakh, a predominantly Christian region, seceded from Azerbaijan after the disintegration of the USSR. Since then, the region has experienced several wars and has become a militarized zone. The inhabitants, especially the men, have all experienced the fighting from near or far. With the dissolution of Nagorno-Karabakh’s institutions and the flight of residents, the region risks losing its identity and cultural heritage.
The future of Nagorno-Karabakh remains uncertain. Calls for international protection are increasing, but the international community is slow to take concrete measures. Meanwhile, Armenian refugees continue to seek refuge and rebuild their lives far from home.
In conclusion, the exodus of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh continues in a context of political and humanitarian tensions. The UN must assess the needs of refugees, while the Prime Minister’s opponents express their discontent. The region risks losing its identity and cultural heritage, while the international community is slow to act. Armenian refugees are desperate for shelter and hope for a more stable future.