«We Need to Decide Where to Live»: Syunik Governor on Support for Displaced Persons from Artsakh

The Syunik leadership, in a statement to Armenia Today, addressed the issue of internally displaced persons from Artsakh who are unable to return to their homes. Governor Robert Ghukasyan noted that there are forced migrants from the villages of Aghavno and Berdzor as well as residents of Arax, who cannot return home due to the blockade of the Lachin corridor.

“Our compatriots from Artsakh have settled in hotels in the city of Goris, and they are provided with food and shelter. If we had met, you would remember how we organized everything. Since then, nothing has changed. The ICRC has always supported us,” Ghukasyan stated.

The current conditions cannot compensate for the fact that those from Artsakh remaining in Goris are deprived of the opportunity to return home and see their children, he added. He also commented on the issue of providing housing for the displaced persons. According to Ghukasyan, many of them are still unable to determine their place of residence and want to be closer to the areas they were forced to leave.

“We want people to choose where they want to live. Here we have a bit of passivity; it would be very good if people themselves choose the place where they would like to live,” the governor concluded.