Today We Are Witnessing Brutal Violence for Over Two Weeks, Says ICRC

The head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for the Eurasia region, Martin Schuepp, has issued a statement addressing the necessity for a ceasefire in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone and the humanitarian actions conducted by the ICRC there. This information was provided by the ICRC's external relations department.

Geneva (ICRC) - Today we are witnessing brutal violence lasting over two weeks, escalating alongside the intensification of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In our assessment, there are already hundreds of thousands affected throughout the region.

Civilians are dying or suffering life-altering injuries. Homes, businesses, and once-bustling streets are turned into rubble. Among those spending days in unheated basements or fleeing their homes for safety are the elderly and newborns.

Moreover, the entire healthcare system, along with its staff and emergency services, is overstressed during these days, with some areas even facing direct attacks. Confusion reigns in communities on both sides of the contact line, with losses and fear prevalent.

We are hopeful that the agreement for a humanitarian ceasefire will be upheld and will significantly alleviate the situation for these individuals. The ICRC is always ready to assist with the repatriation of remains of those killed in the fighting and the release of detainees. The parties must reach an agreement on the format of these processes.

Regarding our response operations, the ICRC is working throughout the region to alleviate the suffering of civilians caught in the current military situation. In particular, we are distributing cash assistance and hygiene kits to hundreds of families, as well as urgent medical supplies to hospitals, and forensic support to authorities, conducting field visits as possible to assess needs.

We are also closely collaborating with the Armenian Red Cross and the Azerbaijani Red Crescent involved in the response efforts. We anticipate that at least tens of thousands of people across the region will need assistance in the coming months.

In this regard, we have submitted an emergency request for an additional 9.2 million Swiss francs and have already begun receiving generous donations from governments, for which we are grateful.

Let me conclude my statement with the story of a woman who recounted how, during her childhood, she sought refuge in basements and spent nights in forests while fleeing from battles. Nearly thirty years later, she is forced to do the same, this time with her small daughter, who is not yet two years old, and her elderly parents, who once protected her.

There are many such people and stories, and it is for their sake that we must do everything possible to support them and contribute to significant humanitarian efforts,” the statement concludes.