Artsakh Minister of Agriculture discusses agricultural issues arising from the blockade
It is virtually impossible to import seeds, fertilizers, and plant protection products for spring planting, or grain and concentrated feed for the livestock sector.
The fuel shortage has become especially problematic and is resulting in all agricultural activities coming to a halt.
Heated greenhouses are impacted by the gas and power supply issues. There are already cases of seedlings and even unripe crops being damaged by frost, which has taken a financial and psychological toll on farmers.
Locally produced products are not currently being sold or are available only in very small quantities, because, given the current situation, farmers are keeping harvested crops for their own use or to use as seeds.
Seven patients transported to Armenia by the ICRC
The transportation of patients from Artsakh to Armenia continues to be carried out exclusively with the mediation and accompaniment of the International Committee of the Red Cross. As of February 14, a total of 97 patients have been transferred from Artsakh to Armenia by the ICRC.
A number of urgent issues were discussed at a meeting of the Operational Headquarters led by Ruben Vardanyan
The director of ArtsakhEnergo reported that the gas shutdown and cold weather are resulting in the energy system being unable to withstand the current load, leading to more accidents and leaving the distribution network stretched thin. Head of the Operational Headquarters, State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, requested that proposals be submitted in order to discuss the situation with all responsible structures and find the most effective solution under the existing conditions.
The parties also discussed price control issues, the progress of social support measures aimed at mitigating the consequences of the blockade, and the distribution of charitable goods sent to Artsakh. It was reported to the State Minister that donated food products are being provided free of charge to socially disadvantaged groups.
Update of daily statistics
4 children are in the neonatal and intensive care units of the children’s hospital.
12 adult patients are in the intensive care unit, 4 of whom are in critical condition.
249 children have been born under the blockade.
About 640 people have been deprived of the opportunity to receive necessary medical treatment due to suspensions of planned surgeries in all medical facilities of Artsakh.
As of today, 97 patients have been transferred from Artsakh to Armenia to receive appropriate medical care with the mediation and accompaniment of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
At least 5,100 people have lost jobs and sources of income as a result of the impact on the economy.
More than 26,000 tons of vital supplies, which would have been delivered during the period of the blockade, have not reached Artsakh. Only a meager amount has since been delivered by the ICRC and the Russian peacekeeping forces.
Key facts
For 66 days, the 120,000 people of Artsakh have been held hostage by a terroristic blockade carried out by agents of the Azerbaijani government.
As a result of the blockade, the 120,000 people of Artsakh, including about 30,000 children, 20,000 elderly, and 9,000 people with disabilities, are suffering numerous hardships and face a high risk of malnutrition and frostbite, among other rights violations.
41 kindergartens, 56 pre-school groups, and 20 day schools have been closed or partially operating since January 9 due to the worsening food shortage under the blockade.
6,828 children are either no longer able to attend school at all or unable to attend on a daylong basis, thereby being deprived of the opportunity to receive appropriate education and care.
Since the beginning of the blockade, many countries and international organizations have condemned Azerbaijan’s actions and called for the lifting of the blockade. The issue was also discussed in the UN Security Council, the European Court of Human Rights obliged Azerbaijan to take all necessary and sufficient measures to end the blockade, and the issue will soon be discussed in the UN’s International Court of Justice (The Hague) within the proceedings of the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the humanitarian consequences of the blockade of Artsakh.
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