Artsakh refugees receive 89.3 billion drams in aid: Ministry of Social Affairs
YEREVAN, January 15. /ARKA/. About 89.3 billion drams have been provided to individuals forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh through short-term, medium-term, and long-term assistance programs, according to Narek Mkrtchyan, Armenia's Minister of Labor and Social Affairs.
“In 2024, assistance amounting to 58.5 billion drams was provided,” Mkrtchyan stated at a final press conference on Wednesday.
He also mentioned that an updated program for state assistance has been launched. Financial aid in the same format will continue throughout the winter months.
“From April, the assistance will become more targeted, focusing on employment and the housing program. By the end of the year, the housing program showed progress, with 440 refugee families receiving certificates that allow them to begin building homes and purchasing apartments,” Mkrtchyan said.
The Minister also noted that 2,000 apartments are being constructed in border settlements. The program continues in communities such as Baganis, Berkaber, Kirants, and Voskepar in Armenia's Tavush region.
“The amount provided under this program has been increased to 21 million drams from the previous 16 million drams. In the future, this program will become more targeted,” Mkrtchyan added.
He also reported that around 25,000 people are now employed, some through the unified social service and state assistance programs, while others found work based on their skills and abilities.
About ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijan in Artsakh
On September 19-20, 2023, Azerbaijan launched a large-scale aggression against Artsakh using artillery, UAVs and combat aircraft. On September 28, following negotiations with the Azerbaijani side, Artsakh President Samvel Shahramanyan issued a decree that all state institutions of the republic would be dissolved and that the Republic of Artsakh would cease to exist from January 1, 2024.
Residents of Artsakh were forced to leave their homeland and moved to Armenia. According to the Armenian government, more than 115 thousand Artsakh residents have been registered. To assist them, the Armenian government is implementing a number of programs.
