Azerbaijan completely shuts sole gas pipeline into Artsakh only hours after partially restoring its operations
On February 15, Azerbaijan partially restored gas supply to Artsakh, which it had shut off since February 8. Given the insufficient volume of available gas, it was decided that service would be restored only for residential subscribers in Stepanakert for the time being.
However, on the evening of the same day, Azerbaijan again completely shut off the operation of the only gas pipeline entering Artsakh.
The act of connecting and then immediately disconnecting the gas supply during cold winter weather and at nighttime is a deliberate attempt by Azerbaijan to cause accidents and other problems for the people of Artsakh.
Periodic humanitarian aid sent by organizations and individuals for the blockaded residents of Artsakh is being collected in Goris
When possible, the humanitarian cargo is delivered from Goris to Artsakh through the mediation of Russian peacekeepers. The Artsakh Ministry of Social Development and Migration sorts and distributes the humanitarian cargo to members of designated social groups (families with four or more children, families of fallen and missing soldiers, persons with disabilities, and war participants), as well as socially disadvantaged families who have applied to the Ministry for assistance.
Humanitarian aid will be distributed to other social groups in the near future.
Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan met with the Free Motherland-UCA faction of the National Assembly
The parties discussed the socio-economic problems caused by the blockade and approaches to addressing these issues, the constitutional amendment initiative, and the military-political situation.
The head of state noted that Artsakh authorities continue to make all efforts to find effective solutions to the problems faced by the people of Artsakh in these difficult circumstances.
According to President Harutyunyan, all actions and decisions of state importance should be based exclusively on the vital interests of the people of Artsakh and that, therefore, public solidarity and internal stability are essential for the Republic to be able to face the existing challenges and avoid possible new trials.
By the President’s decree, a state commission was established to organize and coordinate a celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Karabakh Movement
The state commission will be chaired by the President of the National Assembly, Arthur Tovmasyan. The committee must, within a three-day period, discuss and approve a comprehensive program of festive events.
Update of daily statistics
3 children are in the neonatal and intensive care units of the children’s hospital.
9 adult patients are in the intensive care unit, 4 of whom are in critical condition.
252 children have been born under the blockade.
About 650 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.
755 business entities (17.7% of the total) have suspended their activities due to the impossible operating conditions under the blockade, while the remaining operate partially or with state support.
At least 5,100 people have lost jobs and sources of income as a result of the impact on the economy.
More than 26,400 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 67 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, while another approximately 7,000 children are unable to attend school due to heating issues.
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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