Author: Liana Toganian

PARAMUS, NJ– Since the 44-day war of Artsakh, the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) has organized several Pray+Act for Armenia and Artsakh Zoom events. These Zoom events have allowed AMAA members and friends to stay current on the ongoing situation in the homeland, to come together to pray for their brothers and sisters living in Armenia and Artsakh and to learn how they can help support them in their time of great need and suffering. Over 125 viewers have participated in the most recent two Zoom events of the year which were held on Saturday, January 7, 2023, and on Saturday, February 4, 2023. Two more Zoom events are currently scheduled for Saturday, March 11 and Saturday, April 1.

Artsakh has been under a full blockade by Azerbaijan for over two months resulting in an ongoing humanitarian crisis. A total of 120,000 people have been affected to date with over 16,000 people being displaced.  

There is an acute shortage of food caused by the blockade, an intentional disruption of gas and electricity, an absence of heat and hot water, a high risk of malnutrition and starvation, lack of proper and necessary health care and shortages of medication, baby formula and hygiene supplies. Businesses and schools have been shut down, and infrastructure has been deliberately attacked.

State Minister of Artsakh Ruben Vardanyan and Advisor to the State Minister of Artsakh Artak Beglaryan at the January 7 Pray+Act Zoom event

In January, State Minister of Artsakh Ruben Vardanyan, Advisor to the State Minister of Artsakh Artak Beglaryan and AMAA Representative in Artsakh Viktor Karapetyan participated in the Zoom meeting and reported on the current situation due to the blockade. 

Vardanyan thanked the AMAA for its ongoing support and spoke about the general situation and expectations from friends and compatriots of the Diaspora. “Despite the challenges that we are facing, it is definitely a unique time for our nation to become more unified,” he said. Vardanyan reported on the status of Artsakh and emphasized the shortage of basic necessities, food, medicines, interruptions of electricity and gas supplies, as well as families who have been separated. “Despite all these challenges, the Artsakh people are showing strong character, and they resist and fight for their independence,” he said. 

Vardanyan also spoke about the ongoing negotiations to pressure Azerbaijan to end the blockade. He encouraged Diaspora Armenians to be more organized and consistent in trying to convince international humanitarian organizations to put pressure on their governments and sanctions on Azerbaijan. “We are facing an existential crisis, as we are fighting for our own life and the blockade is just one small element of the pressure by the enemy,” concluded Vardanyan. He urged all to “pray for fairness of our society, trust in our leaders and trust in the future, because if we don’t see the future, we don’t trust our leaders and the future, it doesn’t matter how much money we raise, or how much food we bring in, we will continue to lose against our enemies.”

Beglaryan also thanked the AMAA for its ongoing prayers and efforts for Artsakh. “The main thing we need is to be unified and to have unified efforts to tackle this issue. This is not a short-term problem, but the continuation of a long-term problem,” said Beglaryan. “We need to be unified to overcome this phase and to prevent new and more brutal phases.”

In his report, Karapetyan said, “Despite the ongoing blockade and the difficult situation in Artsakh, AMAA continues to operate our office in Artsakh, as well as our kindergartens and Shogh day centers. Our kindergartens are the only ones that remain open, and our team in Artsakh continues to reach out and help those in need. Together, with Armenia, together with the Diaspora, together we will find the path through liberation… for the bright future of our people.”

Shogh day center in Stepanakert

During the February 4 Zoom event, following the opening comments and welcome from AMAA executive director and CEO Zaven Khanjian, reports were presented on the blockade and current conditions in Artsakh by Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Artsakh Gegham Stepanyan, AMAA Artsakh Representative Viktor Karapetyan, AMAA Armenia Representative Aren Deyirmenjian and AMAA Armenia Director of Strategic Initiatives Lusine Ohanyan. 

Stepanyan spoke about the humanitarian and human rights consequences of blocking the only road connecting Artsakh to Armenia and the world, the right for an adequate standard of living, the right to freedom of movement for separated families, the right to healthcare, children’s right to education, deliberate and consistent disruption of critical infrastructure and negative economic consequences. 

A child warming up at one of AMAA KGs in Artsakh

Karapetyan said, “Today is not the 54th day of blockade and conformity, but the 54th day of the world being silent and the 54th day of our resilient battle.” He also reported that AMAA kindergartens in Stepanakert, Martakert and Askeran are still open, and the Shogh day centers are functioning. “Artsakh is not just a piece of land. It is the homeland,” he concluded.

A child with his morning breakfast at AMAA Askeran KG

Deyirmenjian said that these are very trying times in Armenia and Artsakh and mentioned some of the activities that AMAA Armenia is currently involved in to find a remedy to this situation. Last month, through the Ministry of Social Affairs and ICRC, baby formula was sent to Artsakh; six tons of food and supplies are in the border town of Goris to be transported to Stepanakert. Together with all educational NGOs in Armenia, a letter was written to the United Nations reporting that the right to children’s education had been violated. “We have also helped a number of Artsakh families stuck in Armenia with food, medicine and financial assistance,” added Deyirmenjian.

Ohanyan spoke of her recent visit and experience to four border villages inside Artsakh – Yeghtsahogh, Lisagor, Mets Shen and Hin Shen. Despite many obstacles and the fact that the border was closed, she was able to deliver emergency necessities and supplies as well as the AMAA’s Christmas Joy packages for the children. “It was a very dangerous mission, and we prayed for her,” said Deyirmenjian. “She went to the border because it is a work of faith, and we must keep the faith and trust God.”  

AMAA Christmas Joy Program held in Stepanakert in January 2023

The Pray+Act Zoom events were moderated by AMAA’s Christian Life Committee chair Rev. Dr. Haig Kherlopian. Each presentation was followed by a prayer asking God to help give strength to the people of Artsakh to overcome this situation and have everlasting peace in the region. 

Since opening the Artsakh AMAA Center in the mid-1990s, the Association has implemented various educational, social and humanitarian programs in several towns and villages such as kindergartens, camps, Shogh day centers and other relief and humanitarian services to empower Artsakh families. The AMAA has not ceased its service due to the blockade. Even though Artsakh is blockaded and facing numerous challenges and many educational institutions and organizations have had to close, AMAA continues operating its kindergartens, Shogh centers, and offices. All social programs including providing baby formula, home visits, sponsorship, Christmas Joy Programs for children and spiritual services continue.

WASHINGTON, DC – Just hours after the Azerbaijani government launched a heavy artillery attack on Armenian military and civilian sites, Senate Foreign Relations Committee chair Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and leaders of the Congressional Armenian Caucus issued powerful rebukes against President Aliyev’s aggression and demanded an end to US military aid to the brutal dictator, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

“The rapid Congressional condemnation of Azerbaijan’s attack on Armenia needs to be followed by the immediate cessation of all US arms and aid to oil-rich Azerbaijan’s corrupt and violent Aliyev regime,” stated ANCA executive director Aram Hamparian.  “Today – more than ever – it’s clear that Azerbaijan deserves the harshest of sanctions, and not another US tax dollar.”

The ANCA has issued a nationwide call to action for President Biden and Congress to: 1) condemn Azerbaijan’s latest attack against Armenia; 2) zero-out all appropriations or authorizations of US aid to Azerbaijan; 3) enact statutory restrictions on US military aid to Baku; and 4) strike or significantly tighten the waiver provision of Section 907.  Similar efforts have been launched by the network of ANC offices worldwide.  The Hellenic American Leadership Council immediately posted a statement of solidarity with the ANCA against Azerbaijani aggression.

Senate and House leaders demanded clear US leadership and Azerbaijani accountability. “Deeply concerned by reports of Azerbaijani attacks on Armenian territory,” stated Chairman Menendez in a Tuesday evening tweet. “Shelling Armenian towns and innocent civilians is illegal & unacceptable. The world must stand up to authoritarian brutality. The US must end all security assistance to Azerbaijan now.”

House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA) concurred, noting, “Azerbaijan has reportedly shelled the homes of innocent civilians in Artsakh and is now attacking Armenia’s border. An egregious violation of the ceasefire and direct attack on Armenia’s sovereignty. The US must halt all assistance to Azerbaijan – immediately and permanently.”

Congressional Armenian Caucus co-chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) stated, “I strongly condemn Azerbaijan’s reckless military attack on southern Armenia. Aliyev must end his aggression immediately. The @StateDept and @SecBlinken must work with the @OSCE Minsk Group to secure peace in the region.”

Outraged by reports of heavy and coordinated Azeri artillery strikes on peaceful Armenian towns, Armenian Caucus co-chair Jackie Speier (D-CA), who is of Armenian heritage, explained: “To be clear: these are internationally recognized Armenian towns, NOT disputed territory. It’s unconscionable that the US continues to provide Aliyev w/military aid.”

Central Valley California Congressman David Valadao (R-CA), a Republican co-chair of the Armenian Caucus noted, “I strongly condemn this unprovoked attack on Armenia. The pattern of ongoing aggression from Azerbaijani forces is unacceptable and must end immediately.”  Fellow Central California Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA) demanded Azerbaijani accountability.  “I condemn Azerbaijan’s unprovoked attack on Armenia. My heart goes out to the people of Armenia and I stand strong with them. Azerbaijan has been unwilling to comply with the peace process and we must hold them accountable,” stated Rep. Costa.

At about 12:05 a.m. on September 13, Azerbaijani forces launched a heavy artillery attack using mortars and drones on Armenian military and civilian infrastructure in Sotk, Vardenis, Goris, Kapan, Artanish, and Iskhanasar, located on Armenia’s eastern border with Azerbaijan. The number of casualties and wounded has not yet been confirmed.  The attack is the largest on Armenian territory since the 2020 Turkey and Azerbaijan-led 44-day war against Artsakh and Armenia, which claimed over 5,000 Armenian lives.

While Congressional reaction decisively condemned Azerbaijani action, statements from US State Department stopped short of unequivocally condemning President Aliyev’s actions.  “The United States is deeply concerned about reports of attacks along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, including reported strikes against settlements and civilian infrastructure inside Armenia. As we have long made clear, there can be no military solution to the conflict. We urge an end to any military hostilities immediately,” stated Secretary of State Antony Blinken.