Nagorno-Karabakh humanitarian aid delivered

Officials said that on Saturday, a Red Cross group delivered essential supplies to Nagorno-Karabakh. This was the first delivery of aid since Azerbaijan’s attack ended with a ceasefire facilitated by Russia.

The group of vehicles carried about 70,000 kilograms of supplies like wheat flour, salt, dried yeast, and sunflower oil for people in need. The information was shared by the International Committee of the Red Cross on X (previously called Twitter).

The help was taken through the Lachin corridor, which is the only road that connects Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, according to the ICRC.

Since December 2022, Azerbaijan has blocked the road, so now people and businesses can’t use it.

The ICRC said that they helped 17 injured people escape from the fighting. They also gave medicine and bags for bodies to help the people in need.

The ICRC said that because there are many people in need, they are sending more people there who specialize in health, forensics, protection, and cleaning up weapons.

Nagorno-Karabakh, also called Artsakh by Armenians, is an area in the Caucasus Mountains that is surrounded by Azerbaijan.

Nagorno-Karabakh is considered part of Azerbaijan by many countries, but it has about 120,000 Armenians living there who make up most of the population and don’t agree with Azerbaijani control.

It has led to a lot of fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan for the past 30 years.

Even though there are Russian peacekeepers in the area, there has been a lot of tension in the region for many months.

In December, soldiers from Azerbaijan closed off the Lachin corridor, which is the only road that connects Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia. This blockade stopped the delivery of food to the approximately 120,000 people living there.

Over 200 people died and more than 400 others were injured in a military operation led by Azerbaijan this week. The defense ministry of Azerbaijan declared it as an “anti-terror” campaign in the area.

Russia has sent 50 tons of help, including food and basic things that people need, to Stepanakert. Stepanakert is the capital of the region. This news was reported by the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti on Saturday.

US Senator Gary Peters, who is currently in Armenia leading a group of American lawmakers, said he saw the blockade at the Lachin corridor along with the US ambassador to Armenia Kristina Kvien and the governor of Armenia’s Syunik province, Robert Ghukasyan.

On Saturday, Peters spoke to reporters and said that he has spoken to many people who are very worried about their family members and what happened to them.

“They are aware that they have been going through a hard time for several months due to the blockade. They have been facing shortages of food, medical supplies, and basic fuel,” he explained. “It’s a really bad situation based on what I’ve heard, and I’m really worried. ”