Three Yazidi families from Iraq receive housing in Armenia

Iraqi refugees have been accommodated in the city Zvartnots, in the Armavir Region.

The housing for the refugees was provided by a Yazidi businessman Mirza Sloyan, who lives in Moscow and heads the public organization "Ezidkhan", Gamlet Smoyan, a member of the National Association of Yezidis "Sindjar", told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"The philanthropist has provided the three families with the houses of his relatives, who had left Armenia earlier. He also bought the necessary domestic appliances for them," said Smoyan, adding that the head of "Ezidkhan" promised the families to buy out the houses, where they now live, should they decide to stay in Armenia.

According to Smoyan, Mirza Sloyan has promised to take over all the problems of these Yazidi families. Today, as he said, two heads of the families have been hired as church gardeners at the castle "Yazidis' Shrine" in the village of Aknalich, Armavir Region. Mr Smoyan has added that soon construction works will start at the castle; and other men from refugee families will be employed there.

Let us remind you that at the moment 19 Yazidis from Iraq, including six children, have found refuge in the village of Araks, Armavir Region of Armenia, near the border with Turkey. The Migration Service of Armenia is considering their petitions for refugee status.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in Iraq Yazidis are regularly attacked by radical groupings. Prior to militants' attacks, about 500,000 Yazidis lived in Shingal; then, most of them were forced to leave their homeland. About 450,000 Yazidis found shelter in refugee camps in Syria, Turkey and Kurdistan. Actions demanding to help Iraqi Yazidis were held in Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh and Georgia.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.