In This War, We All Lost, but the Armenian Soldier and Armenian Diaspora Triumphed

The Office of the High Commissioner for the Diaspora has issued a statement on its Facebook page, noting that the political and lobbying efforts of the Diaspora during the war were not in vain and continue to this day.

“Dear sisters and brothers of the Diaspora, throughout the war, we witnessed an unprecedented all-Armenian and all-Diaspora mobilization and unity. The Diaspora truly became the sole foundation and support of Armenia and the Armenian nation in the world. Everywhere where there is an Armenian, there was a struggle for the homeland, for Artsakh, and for the Armenian people. The assistance came in various forms: material, financial, volunteer, medical, psychological, military, political, and often even diplomatic. The Diaspora to some extent filled the significant gap that was purely within the domain of the state.

Humanitarian aid continues to arrive from the Diaspora to Armenia, even from communities that are farthest from the homeland. The volunteers who departed from the Diaspora to Artsakh during the war were the brightest examples of sincere dedication and patriotism. Some of them sacrificed their lives, while others were injured but did not abandon their positions. Among the white army of the rear, in the ranks of doctors, there were numerous Armenian doctors and healthcare workers from the Diaspora, some of whom still remain by the side of our wounded soldiers today.

It is hard to recall any major volunteer initiative in Armenia that did not involve our compatriots from the Diaspora. There is no doubt that the political and lobbying efforts of the Diaspora were not in vain and continue to this day.

During the harsh days of war, when the world abandoned Armenia in the face of Turkish and Azerbaijani military aggression, the Diaspora remained Armenia’s only window to the outside world, the only connection to humanity, the only hope and source of faith.

Dear compatriots, the defeat is cruel, and the wounds for all of us are very deep. But for your undeniable support, your steadfastness in standing by the homeland, and your selfless struggle, we express our sincere gratitude. We thank you for every effort you made, for your love, care, and patriotism.

In this war, we all lost, but the Armenian soldier and the Armenian Diaspora triumphed. The struggle continues, and we have an immense amount to do together. Let us strengthen ourselves, rise from the ashes, honor the heroism of our martyrs, and move forward.”