8-Year-Old from Artsakh Studying by Candlelight

The Artsakh Information Headquarters presented a report from the government of Artsakh as of January 16, 2023. The energy crisis in Artsakh is deepening significantly, resulting in daily power outages lasting 4 hours.

Starting from January 17, the power cuts will double; instead of the previous 2 hours, residents of Artsakh will now face daily 4-hour outages.

Since January 9, the Azerbaijani side has prohibited specialists from approaching and conducting emergency restoration work on the only high-voltage line supplying Artsakh from Armenia. Under conditions of extremely limited resources, in order to secure the minimum energy needs of the population as long-term as possible, the Artsakh government is taking anti-crisis measures to conserve electricity production resources.

What does this mean?

In the cold winter conditions, Artsakh’s population of 120,000 continues to face serious difficulties in meeting their vital needs. Numerous businesses, preschool institutions, and general education schools have either ceased or severely limited their operations.

President Araik Harutyunyan met with the members of the Artsakh National Assembly. The head of state discussed the consequences of the blockade, which has lasted for more than a month, as well as the steps being taken to confront internal and external challenges. Referring to the heated discussions in the media and social networks about Artsakh's internal political life, President Harutyunyan stated that he would refrain from commenting on the existing speculations, merely clarifying that there is no internal political crisis in Artsakh and such a situation should not be allowed, as there is a clear understanding that our main agenda is to overcome the urgent problems that have arisen and to bring Artsakh out of this situation.

President Araik Harutyunyan has also made new appointments. On January 16, he signed a series of decrees. Major General Ashot Hakobjanyan was relieved of his post as director of the National Security Service of the Republic of Artsakh and was dismissed from service in national security bodies due to retirement after long service. Major General Ararat Melkumyan has been appointed as the director of the National Security Service, having been relieved of his position as secretary of the Security Council of Artsakh. Samvel Shahramanyan has been appointed as the secretary of the Security Council, having been relieved of the position of deputy secretary of the Security Council.

A regular session of the Operational Headquarters has taken place. By the directive of State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, a working group has been created to develop measures aimed at mitigating the economic and social consequences of the blockade. The situation regarding energy supply in the republic, which remains tense, has also been discussed. To secure the minimum energy needs of the population as long-term as possible, a transition to a 4-hour power outage schedule will occur starting tomorrow, instead of the current 2-hour schedule.

Daily Statistical Updates:

13 children are currently in the neonatal and intensive care units of the children's hospital. 9 adult patients are in the intensive care unit, 5 of whom are in critical condition. A total of 142 children have been born during the blockade. Due to the suspension of planned surgeries in all healthcare institutions operating under the Ministry of Health of Artsakh, around 430 citizens have been deprived of the opportunity to undergo surgery.

To date, 28 patients have been transferred from Artsakh to Armenia with the mediation and accompaniment of the International Committee of the Red Cross for appropriate treatment. 726 business entities (17.7% of the total) have suspended their activities due to the impossibility of working under blockade conditions. Due to the challenging economic situation, at least 3,400 people have initially lost their jobs and sources of income. More than 14,400 tons of essential goods would have been delivered to Artsakh if it were not for the blockade, during which only a negligible amount has been supplied by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Russian peacekeeping forces.

Important Facts:

Azerbaijani government agents have been holding 120,000 residents of Artsakh hostage for 37 days under blockade conditions through acts of terrorism. The 120,000 residents of Artsakh (including around 30,000 children, 20,000 elderly, and 9,000 people with disabilities) are experiencing multiple deprivations and are also at risk of starvation. Due to food shortages exacerbated by the blockade, 41 kindergartens, 56 preschool groups, and 20 long-term educational institutions have been closed. 6,828 children can no longer attend kindergarten, preschool, and long-term schools, being deprived of proper care, food, and education opportunities. Since the start of the blockade, numerous countries and international organizations have condemned Azerbaijan's actions and called for the lifting of the blockade. This issue has also been discussed in the UN Security Council, and the European Court of Human Rights has obliged Azerbaijan to take all necessary and sufficient measures to lift the blockade. The matter will soon be discussed in the International Court of Justice (The Hague) within the proceedings of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.