UN Resident Coordinator Visits Wounded Children in Armenia and Artsakh

The UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia, Shombi Sharp, has visited children wounded in the conflict zones of Armenia and Artsakh. This information was reported by the UN office in Armenia.

On October 16, Shombi Sharp, along with Maya Simonian, the coordinator of UNICEF's early childhood development programs, and Mihran Hakobyan, the coordinator of health and nutrition programs, visited the children at the Surb Astvatsmayr Medical Center. They were welcomed and accompanied by representatives of the Armenian Ministry of Health, the head of the center’s intensive care unit, Anna Chobanyan, and the medical staff.

During the visit, Mr. Sharp met and interacted with Narek, Ruben, and Artsvik, all aged between 2 and 14. Narek shared with the UN coordinator how he got injured and talked about his interests, including chess and mathematics. They discovered that both liked dogs, exchanged pictures of their pets, and made plans to play chess when Narek fully recovers.

As Ruben has only recently started to speak again due to his injuries, Mr. Sharp had an extensive conversation with his mother, who is also injured. Ruben's mother spoke about the unfortunate incident and her son's interests, including football, which he hopes to return to after recovery.

According to the medical staff, little Artsvik smiled for the first time during these days while playing with toys brought by UNICEF employees.

“I and all the UN staff condemn the targeting of civilians and support the call of the UN Secretary-General for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, as the conflict has no military solution,” Mr. Sharp stated during his visit. “Every child has the fundamental right to a peaceful childhood, irrespective of where they live.”

The visit was a result of close cooperation between the UN office in Armenia, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan, and the Armenian Ministry of Health.

The UN office in Armenia is prepared to provide humanitarian assistance to those who have been forced to leave their homes or have been otherwise affected, as needed and upon request.