More than 70,000 Christians have fled Nagorno-Karabakh so far, fearing for their lives. Can you help them survive?
“They will cleanse the entire region of Armenians, destroy Armenians' cultural heritage, and erase memories,” said Bishop Hovakim Manukyan in an email to Barnabas Aid. A mass exodus from Nagorno-Karabakh is currently underway after the invasion of the Christian enclave by Azerbaijan on 19 September.
Floods of refugees from the Christian enclave, whose population is estimated at 120,000, have been forced to leave their homes in fear of ethnic cleansing and another Armenian genocide.
Thousands of Christians have fled, seeking refuge near a military base outside Stepanakert Airport, but there is no more space. Can you help provide food, shelter and safety?
The international community is finally paying attention to the plight of the Christians who have bravely endured over nine months under siege by the Azerbaijani military.
But it’s too late.
“There are reports of mass killings, raping and torturing of people.”
“When we were warning about ethnic cleansing, no one was paying attention. [Another] wave of Genocide of Armenians in Karabakh is happening,” Bishop Hovakim continued. “There are reports of mass killings, raping and torturing of people. A scene of war crimes is unfolding.”
A young Armenian Christian being cared for in the aftermath of the invasion of Nagorno-Karabakh
After three-quarters of a year of the Lachin Corridor being blockaded, the Azerbaijani military overwhelmed the starving residents of the enclave. It is predicted that the entire population may now flee their ancestral homeland and seek safety in Armenia.
They will need shelter, food, clothing and medicine. Barnabas Aid will be joining the aid efforts through the churches of Armenia, along with the Armenian government.
Barnabas Aid providing aid once more
The Bishop concluded his email by saying, “Thank you for your assistance.”
Thanks to the ongoing generosity of our supporters, Barnabas has provided much-needed aid for believers while they were besieged in Nagorno-Karabakh.
But now, we ask you to pray even more for those living in fear and consider if you can give anything to help our brothers and sisters fleeing Nagorno-Karabakh.
