Artsakh has been under siege for 240 days.

Due to the fact that the only road connecting Artsakh to Armenia (Lachin Corridor) has been blocked by Azerbaijan for 8 months, due to severe shortage of medicine and food and continuous stress, the rates of a number of diseases and complications have increased in the besieged Artsakh compared to last year.

In particular, among the total deaths during seven months (January-July): an increase of more than 2 times in mortality from diseases of the circulatory system was recorded, including an increase in deaths from acute and chronic heart failure by 66%, from acute myocardial infarction by 20.8%, and from cerebral palsy by 8.8%. And only in July, that indicator increased even more, reaching 2.6 times. In seven months, the number of deaths from malignant neoplasm increased by 15.9%.

In July, the number of abortions among pregnant women on doctor’s orders increased by four times, the number of emergency calls for fainting cases increased by 91%, and the number of high blood pressure cases increased by 5.6 times.

The increase in the mentioned and other indicators of death and disease cases is due to the serious health problems caused by the blockade of Artsakh and then the total siege. The Ministry of Health of the Artsakh Republic warns that in the case of the continuation of the complete siege of Artsakh by Azerbaijan, the mentioned and other indicators will increase even more, leading to the death of many people and the deterioration of their health.

The health system is doing its best to mitigate the effects of these severe challenges it faces, but the complete blockade of the movement of people, vehicles and goods through the Lachine Corridor makes it simply impossible to provide systemic and comprehensive health solutions.

As, since 12 December, 2022, Artsakh has been under siege, and since 15 June of the current year, humanitarian cargo transportation has been completely stopped, a cash problem has arisen in Artsakh. The Ministry of Finance and Economy of the Artsakh Republic issued a message about this.

“In order to implement the social assistance programs defined by the decision of the Government of the Artsakh Republic, to pay salaries and pensions and to ensure the internal flow of cash circulation, we ask you to cash the funds kept in bank accounts as necessary (withdrawal limit is also introduced), and keep the free cash funds in bank accounts.

We ask you to support the state so that we can overcome the difficult challenges facing the people of Artsakh with joint efforts,” the message reads.

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On 22 February, the International Court published the decision regarding the request submitted by Armenia and stated: “Since 12 December, the connection through the Lachin Corridor has been disrupted, the supply of food, medicine and other necessary goods to Nagorno Karabakh has been hindered, which can cause irreparable damage.

“The Court considers that it is necessary to apply a temporary measure and court records that Azerbaijan is obliged to take the measures that depend on it to ensure the uninterrupted movement of people and goods in both directions through the Lachin Corridor.”

It was noted that the court’s decision came into force from the moment of its publication.

However, the fact is that the road is still closed.

Due to the lack of international pressure on Azerbaijan, the Armenians of Artsakh are facing a humanitarian disaster. The appeals of the international community have been ignored by the leadership of Azerbaijan until now.

Fundamental human rights have been violated for 240 days, and international organizations and states are silent.

Due to the terrorist behavior of the Azerbaijani side, the villages of Shushi region are completely cut off from the capital of Artsakh and other settlements.

It should be noted that the Governing Board of the CSO Anti-Corruption Coalition of Armeniaalso made a statement. “This blockade, under the guise of environmentalism, pursues   the realization of the corrupt ambitions of the despotic leadership of Azerbaijan to seize the most important assets of Artsakh’s economy.”

 Photo by Artsakh InfoCenter.