The ACT Armenia Forum draws attention to the massively deteriorating humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, and has issued this statement:

Since December 11, 2022 Azerbaijan has blockaded the region of Artsakh by closing the only humanitarian corridor (the Lachin corridor) and cutting gas supplies to the region. With these actions, Azerbaijan is creating a dramatic humanitarian crisis and emergency situation for 120,000 ethnic Armenian residents, including 30,000 children, 20,000 elderly and 9,000 people with disabilities, who are in critical need of food, medication and all life necessary goods.

1,100 people (of which 270 are minors) are unable to return to their homes, and 350 people are unable to receive medical treatment. This situation is a blatant violation of the tripartite agreement that ended the six-week war of 2020, of international humanitarian and human rights law, and of the most fundamental moral principles.

All parties, without exception, must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and take constant care to spare civilians and civilian infrastructure so that they are protected, their houses preserved, and essential services remain.