ICRC asks Yerevan, Baku to reach "humanitarian consensus" to  alleviate suffering of people in Artsakh

ArmInfo. Despite persistent efforts, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is not  currently able to bring humanitarian assistance to the civilian  population through the Lachin corridor or through any other routes,  including Aghdam. The organisation is calling on the relevant  decision makers to allow the ICRC to resume its essential  humanitarian operations in the area.  This is stated in the statement  of the ICRC.

 "Tens of thousands of people rely on humanitarian aid reaching them  through these routes. The civilian population is now facing a lack of  life-saving medication and essentials like hygiene products and baby  formula. Fruits, vegetables, and bread are increasingly scarce and  costly, while some other food items such as dairy products, sunflower  oil, cereal, fish, and chicken are not available. The last time the  ICRC was allowed to bring medical items and essential food items into  the area was several weeks ago.

"Our humanitarian aid convoys are a lifeline for the population in  this area. With these convoys blocked, our concern is that the  humanitarian situation will further deteriorate. We are most worried  about those who cannot help themselves. The sick and people with  chronic diseases are particularly at risk, as are the elderly, infirm  and children. For us to operate here, we need the sides to reach a  humanitarian consensus.  This is life-saving work, and it must be  allowed to continue," said ICRC's regional director for Eurasia,  Ariane Bauer.

Under international humanitarian law, sides must allow and facilitate  the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians  in need. This includes medical supplies and essential food.

 The ICRC's work is strictly humanitarian. We are encouraged by the  fact that the ICRC was able to evacuate 24 sick patients across the  Lachin Corridor over the last few days, ensuring that they receive  the medical treatment they need. Overall, the organisation has  evacuated more than 600 people in urgent need of medical care since  December 2022.  

The ICRC is continuing its bilateral dialogue with the sides and  stands ready to continue its humanitarian work once such a consensus  is found." Earlier Azerbaijan accused the ICRC of allegedly  transporting unauthorized goods to Artsakh, and under this pretext  completely blocked the corridor, which had not been operating for  more than six months. We add that the ICRC admitted that without the  Organization's knowledge, four hired drivers, tried to transport some  commercial goods (cigarettes, telephones, etc.), in their own  vehicles which were temporarily displaying the ICRC emblem.  These  individuals were not ICRC staff members and their service contracts  were immediately terminated by the ICRC. Thus, Azerbaijan is trying  to strangle the people of Artsakh, which has been in a total blockade  since December 12 of this year, deprived of gas, electricity and  basic necessities. Since June 15 this year, no food has been  delivered to Artsakh, 120,000 citizens are on the verge of  starvation. All this is happening against the backdrop of the  inaction of the civilized international community, which, in pursuit  of energy resources, forgot about the universal human rights promoted  by itself.