On June 30th, colleagues from UNHCR Armenia accompanied a high-level delegation from the French Republic, led by Mr. Georges Siffredi, the President of Hauts-de-Seine Department of France, to Ijevan (Tavush), where refugees from Karabakh are being hosted. The purpose of the visit was to meet with them, understand their well-being, and assess their needs.
The delegation visited the Women’s Support Center and the “For Equality” human rights NGO in Ijevan. There, they had an insightful meeting with a group of refugee women, men, and older people. During discussions with the host community — Ms. Manush Maralchyan, the President of “For Equality” NGO, and the community social worker, Ms. Greta Harutyunyan — Mr. Siffredi and his colleagues learned about the issues, capacity, and ongoing efforts of the community to meet the evolving needs of the refugees.
Referring to emergency humanitarian assistance, including winterization support and cash assistance, the refugees expressed heartfelt gratitude towards the Armenian government, the Ijevan authorities, UNHCR, and the international community, such as the Government and people of France. During home visits in Ijevan, the refugees shared their daily life concerns, uncertainties about the future and longer-term plans, difficulties, need for continued cash assistance, sustainable livelihood and housing and access to tertiary education for their children.
“The humanitarian assistance we have received was very timely and crucial. You helped us overcome the winter challenges, settle in, focus on the studies and future of our children, and search for jobs in the community,” shared Armine, a refugee mother of five children, during our visit to her rented apartment in Ijevan.
Towards the conclusion of the field visit, Mr. Siffredi and his colleagues acknowledged the collaborative efforts of the host community and the resilience of the refugees.
UNHCR extends heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Armenia, the host communities, and donors, such as France, for their unwavering support to the refugees in Armenia.
Merci, peuple français, d’être aux côtés des réfugiés et des communautés d’accueil en Arménie!
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