Nagorno-Karabakh residents complain about absence of social help

Armenian authorities have announced a start of payments to Karabakh refugees, but the help programme to the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh, who had lost their homes, has not yet been approved. The people who have lost their homes are forced to live with relatives or rent apartments at their own expense.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Stepanakert residents had complained that officials rendered no help to those who had lost their homes during the autumn conflict escalation. On November 23, the Armenian authorities began accepting applications from refugees for financial help; they were promised 68,000 drams (about USD 135) to each, and 15,000 drams (USD 30) to everyone who possesses his/her own real estate in Armenia.

Eranui Yaylakhanyan, an employee of the press service of the Armenian Ministry of Social Security and Labour, said that the second programme of state support had been prepared for residents of Karabakh. The citizens, who had lost their homes as a result of shelling or because their houses had remained in the territories ceded to Azerbaijan, will receive 250,000 drams (USD 500) and 300,000 drams (USD 600), respectively.

Asmik Arushanyan, a woman from Stepanakert, has not received any social help from authorities so far. Her house was damaged during shelling, and she has to rent housing.