Conflict in South Caucasus: How Project HOPE is Responding

Heavy fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan has displaced tens of thousands of people in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Get the latest facts on this crisis and learn how Project HOPE is responding.

Posted: October 16, 2020

Medical needs are high in the wake of the six-week Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, with hundreds of civilians injured and as much as 50% of the region’s population displaced.

Project HOPE is responding to this crisis with urgently needed medicines and medical supplies, as well as support for an anticipated spike in COVID-19. Get the latest facts on this crisis and learn more about our response below.

>> Conflict in South Caucasus Situation Report (October 15)

What you need to know:

Fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan has displaced as many as 100,000 people in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Though the two sides signed a peace agreement, medical needs remain high
Project HOPE is responding to this crisis with medical relief and support for health workers responding to COVID-19.

What is Nagorno-Karabakh, and why is there fighting?

Nagorno-Karabakh is a mainly ethnic Armenian region that is internationally recognized as a part of Azerbaijan. The region declared independence in 1991 during the collapse of the Soviet Union and has been governed by a self-declared republic run by ethnic Armenians since the mid-1990s.

Conflict has roiled inside Nagorno-Karabakh for decades. The most recent fighting, however, is the most serious escalation since 1994, with reported shelling and rocket fire targeting densely populated cities and essential civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, across Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

The two sides signed a settlement to end the war on November 9.

Fighting in the Nagorno-Karabakh region has displaced as many as 100,000 people, many of whom face serious health risks including cardiovascular disease, mental health issues, or heightened risk of COVID-19. Photo courtesy Project HOPE Armenia.

What are the greatest needs?

Reported needs include pharmaceuticals, medical consumables, and equipment to support hospitals and health facilities as they respond to an increase in trauma cases and related injuries. Health needs of the displaced population are a growing concern.

COVID-19 remains a grave concern, with a steady increase in cases over the course of October. The vast displacement resulting from the conflict heightens the transmission risk due to communal living spaces limiting the ability to socially distance, as well as insufficient hygiene supplies.

Multiple people have told us they do not have enough money to buy the medicine they need — including one woman, Karine, who was only able to bring a small amount of medicine with her when she fled. “I have to take expensive prescription pain medicine all the time,” she said. “I was able to take with me only a small amount of these drugs, so now I need to pay for them to buy in the pharmacy here.”

Others have noted the severe mental stress facing those who have fled. “I think all of us have health issues, regardless of age,” said Anush, another person seeking shelter in Armenia. “I can see that many people around me are affected by this conflict, both mentally and physically. Even those who were healthy before are now complaining about a new disease. I think it’s the stress and the trouble of moving. I can see that my neighbors show signs of anxiety, depression, and acute stress.”

As displaced people are forced to seek shelter from the fighting, the risk of COVID-19 has increased in Armenia, with social distancing not possible in the shelters’ communal spaces. Photo courtesy Project HOPE Armenia.

How is Project HOPE responding?

Project HOPE is shipping urgent humanitarian assistance to the conflict-affected populations in Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as displaced populations in surrounding areas of Armenia. Project HOPE’s Emergency Response Team is in Yerevan and continuing to assess the growing need, prepared to scale up if the conflict intensifies.

In addition to delivering medical supplies and personal protective equipment, Project HOPE is also coordinating with the Armenia National Institute of Health to support the scale-up of training in COVID-19 preparedness and response for health care workers as needed. The virtual COVID-19 training, translated into Russian, was developed by the Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies of Brown University’s Watson Institute and Project HOPE, and has already reached over 80,000 frontline responders in more than 50 countries.

As part of its response to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Project HOPE has donated critical medicines and 30 essential health packs to Armenia’s Ministry of Health to help people displaced by the conflict. Photo courtesy Project HOPE Armenia.

How you can help

Make a lifesaving gift to support our work now and for the future at projecthope.org/donate.

Are you a healthcare or other professional who would like to learn more about volunteering abroad with Project HOPE? Learn more about our volunteer program and join our volunteer roster.

Stay up-to-date on this story and our lifesaving work around the world by following us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and help spread the word by sharing stories that move and inspire you.

5 Health Crises We’re Watching in 2020

In today’s climate, the fight to protect and improve global health is more urgent than ever. Here’s an overview of some of the world’s most pressing health challenges — and what HOPE is doing to address them.

As Yemen Crisis Worsens Project HOPE, The Humanitarian Alliance for…

COVID-19 and Project HOPE’s Evolving Response

From urgent action in the first weeks of the pandemic to our expanded focus on mental health, pandemic preparedness, and health system strengthening, Project HOPE’s response to COVID-19 has been a comprehensive effort.