VIDEO: 3400 People Lose Jobs and Income in Artsakh

According to reports from the Artsakh government and health sector officials, currently, 847 children in Artsakh suffer from congenital heart defects, 93 from bronchial asthma, 66 from periodic illnesses, 80 from epilepsy, and 16 from diabetes. These children were registered and regularly traveled to the Republic of Armenia for necessary medical assistance. However, since December 12, due to the blockade, these children have been deprived of their right to receive medical care.

Moreover, more than 10 doctors have no way of returning to Artsakh from Armenia, resulting in a certain shortage of medical personnel in health facilities in Artsakh.

Day Statistics

1 child is in the neonatal and intensive care unit of the children’s hospital. 11 adult patients are in the intensive care unit, 3 of whom are in extremely critical condition. A total of 127 children have been born under the blockade.

Due to the suspension of planned surgeries in all health facilities operating under the Ministry of Health of Artsakh, around 400 citizens have lost the opportunity to undergo surgeries due to health issues.

To date, 19 patients have been transferred from Artsakh to Armenia for appropriate treatment with the mediation and accompaniment of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

726 businesses (17.7% of the total) have suspended their activities due to the impossibility of operating under the blockade. Due to the challenging economic situation, it is estimated that at least 3400 people have lost their jobs and sources of income.

More than 13,200 tons of essential goods would have been delivered to Artsakh if not for the blockade, of which only a small portion has been provided by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Russian peacekeeping forces.

The Azerbaijani government’s agents have held Artsakh's 120,000 residents hostage for 34 days through acts of terrorism during the blockade. Because of the blockade, the 120,000 population of Artsakh (including about 30,000 children, 20,000 elderly individuals, and 9,000 persons with disabilities) faces numerous hardships and is also at risk of famine.

Due to the worsening food scarcity during the blockade, 41 kindergartens, 56 preschool groups, and 20 long-term educational institutions have closed. 6,828 children can no longer attend kindergarten, preschool, and long-term schools, being deprived of the opportunity to receive proper care, nutrition, and education.

Since the beginning of the blockade, numerous countries and international organizations have condemned Azerbaijan's actions and called for the lifting of the blockade. The issue has also been discussed in the UN Security Council, and the European Court of Human Rights has mandated Azerbaijan to take all necessary and sufficient measures to lift the blockade. The matter will soon be addressed in the International Court of Justice (The Hague) within the framework of the proceedings of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.