Hayastan Fund discussed providing humanitarian aid to Artsakh

YEREVAN, December 28. /ARKA/. An emergency meeting of the Board of Trustees of the All-Armenian Hayastan Fund held on Wednesday discussed Azerbaijan's blockade of the Lachin corridor and the issue of providing humanitarian aid to Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).

During the meeting, Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan and State Minister Ruben Vardanyan presented the humanitarian crisis in Artsakh and the urgent needs of the local population.

The need for pan-Armenian unity in providing humanitarian aid to Artsakh was emphasized. The possibilities of providing urgent humanitarian aid to Artsakh and the steps to be taken were presented.

Twenty members of the Board of Trustees and representatives of the Fund's local bodies participated in the meeting via videoconference.

The meeting was chaired by Vahagn Khachatryan, President of Armenia and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Fund.

Since December 12, the sole road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia, has been blocked by groups of Azerbaijanis, described by Azerbaijani state media as environmental activists protesting against illegal mining in the area.

Armenia accused Azerbaijan of seeking to cause a humanitarian collapse in Nagorno-Karabakh and force its residents to leave their homes. On December 13-16 Azerbaijan also cut off gas supplies to Nagorno-Karabakh, pumped from Armenia.

Due to the blockade there is a shortage of medications, fuel as well as food and other essentials,” -0-