VIDEO: 9 Tons of Aid Sent from France Blocked for Over Two Months in Yerevan Warehouse

For over two months, 9 tons of aid sent from France have been blocked in one of Yerevan's warehouses. This was reported by the French initiative 'Movement,' which also released a video. News.am conveys the message.

In a statement released, it says: “Since the very beginning of the war, like many other Armenian organizations and the civil society of Armenia itself, the Movement has shown responsibility and unity towards Artsakh and the Armenian people. You have witnessed and participated in our various actions aimed at helping the victims of the war.

Today, we are compelled to condemn the actions and schemes that delay our work. Since December 18, one of our humanitarian aid shipments, containing over 9 tons of assistance, has been blocked in a warehouse in Yerevan and is waiting for customs clearance. Despite having to come to terms with the fact that the customs clearance of Turkish goods (until December 31, 2020) was prioritized over our humanitarian shipment, and despite accepting the closure of customs services at the end of the year due to the holidays, we are not willing to accept the actions and schemes aimed at postponing the delivery of humanitarian aid.

For more than two months now, despite obtaining all administrative permissions, the customs authority continuously imposes obscure conditions that were never communicated beforehand, preventing us from gathering the aid boxes. Although we were aware of the lack of willingness from the Armenian administration to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, we are now disheartened by the fact that some individuals within customs are exploiting the situation to prolong the process as much as possible. For what purpose?

Is this merely a manifestation of negligence, or would it be quicker and easier if we offered 'cash donations' to the state officials involved in our work? Such actions are even more horrific given the urgency of the situation. It goes without saying that the country is going through one of the most significant social and humanitarian crises in its history, and hundreds of people who are dependent on this aid are waiting for it.

Another horrifying observation is that such actions are recurrent; our boxes are kept not far from several dozens of wheelchairs and medical beds, equipment that is urgently needed at this moment. We condemn the failed system where malicious individuals can exploit these failures for their benefit at the expense of the collective good.