20 Families Relocate from Artsakh's Aghavno and Berdzor to Syunik Province

Residents of Berdzor city and the villages of Aghavno and Sus in the Kashatagh region of Artsakh had until August 25 to leave their homes, as these areas are set to come under Azerbaijani control, following the launch of a new corridor linking Artsakh to Armenia. During these days, residents have been removing their belongings from their homes, and cultural monuments are being evacuated.

In a conversation with Armenpress, Victoria Petrosyan, spokesperson for the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Artsakh, discussed the relocation of residents from Berdzor and Aghavno. She noted that the majority of residents expressed their desire to settle in various communities within the Republic of Armenia.

“The exact number of families relocating to Armenia is still uncertain. By the end of August, certificates for the purchase of housing for the evacuated families will be ready. Accordingly, they will settle in the communities of their choice,” explained the spokesperson for the Minister.

Many of the residents from Berdzor and Aghavno have found refuge in Syunik province of Armenia, while others have moved to areas where they have relatives. Armine Avagyan, assistant to the governor of Syunik, reported that 20 families have expressed their intention to settle in their region.

“The last family moved in just yesterday. Until now, the Syunik Regional Administration has supported transportation logistics and assisted in finding accommodation. They have primarily relocated to the Goris and Sisian regions. Starting tomorrow, the administration staff will visit homes to assess needs and understand how the families are settling in,” she noted, adding that the administration will keep the issues of these families under permanent review to provide appropriate solutions.

Zara Manucharyan, spokesperson for the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, informed us that there are no specific social programs related to Aghavno and Berdzor; however, a state support housing program is in place for those displaced from various regions of Artsakh.

“If they meet the established criteria and apply according to the procedures, like other beneficiaries, they can also benefit from the program,” she said.

In response to our inquiry about whether any families from Aghavno or Berdzor had applied to settle in Yerevan, the Yerevan Municipality informed us that no one has approached them regarding this matter.