Aravot Daily asked the coordinator of the Artsakh Government Operative Staff in Armenia, Mikayel Virabyan, how the issue was resolved for the residents whose homes remained under Armenian control, but they were forced to leave their homes regardless. Upon our observation that the Human Rights Defender’s office received complaints and letters from the residents of Berdzor and Lisagor in particular who are not receiving financial support, and they are demanding that the Republic of Artsakh provide the Armenian government with a list of those settlements, Mikayel Virabyan said that the issue was resolved for the residents of these communities, and they will receive 250,000 AMD in assistance.
“The government of the Republic of Artsakh via the Ministry of Territorial Administration is creating and confirming those lists. They are using references and lists provided by the administrators and village leaders of the corresponding regions as a basis for these lists. In general, the plan is to provide residents with 300,000 AMD and 250,000 AMD in financial assistance. This is for people who are registered residents and who have lived here for three months. Those whose homes are in territories under Azerbaijani control will receive 300,000 AMD due to the fact that they lost their homes. But those whose homes are under the control of the Republic of Artsakh will receive 250,000 AMD in assistance,” Virabyan said.
Mikayel Virabyan, who is also the chief advisor to the President of Artsakh, presented the process for implementing these social plans at the Armenpress press club. According to his data, 93,300 people from Artsakh temporarily sought refuge in Armenia, where they were provided with shelter, warm clothes, and healthcare.
The 200 million AMD provided by the government of Artsakh was allocated towards the residents who are in Armenia whose homes are currently in territories captured by Azerbaijan and under Azerbaijani control. According to Mikayel Virabyan, 54 million AMD was allocated as compensation for the burial services of fallen soldiers.
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The families who wish to return to Artsakh register to do so at the operative staff office. According to Mikayel Virabyan, there are over 50 registered families from the Kashatagh region that wish to return to Artsakh’s villages.
Seven families returned to the Badara village of Askeran since the beginning of January. A free residential fund exists in this village. Those who returned were provided with the appropriate furniture.
The head of the staff also said that the free buses from Yerevan to Artsakh continue to operate, and they will continue to operate as long as the need exists. “Over a dozen social assistance plans were accepted by the Armenian government, two of which have to do with employment issues. Electronic applications will start to be accepted in the coming days. The citizens of Artsakh can also apply for trainings with employers and receive a 100,000 AMD salary. The other plan has to do with social work. The citizens of the Republic of Artsakh will be given such employment and they will receive 8,000 AMD per day.”
Lusine Budaghyan
