UNHCR AND ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT POPULATION MOVEMENT TO BE PREPARED FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

ARMENPRESS
Aug 20, 2008

YEREVAN, AUGUST 20, ARMENPRESS: The Georgian-Russian war prompted a
big flow of population movement from Georgia to Armenia. After the
end of active military actions, specialists of the Armenian Migration
Agency of the Territorial Ministry and UNHCR Armenia Agency visited
three crossing points on the Armenian-Georgian border to study the
situation on the ground.

According to UNHCR Armenia Agency, some 11,000 people crossed into
Armenia through Bagratashen border check point on August 8-18. For
comparison, three days before the standoff, on August 5-7 only 400
foreigners crossed into Armenia through Bagratashen.

Part of foreigners who fled to Armenia used it as a transit country to
fly home. The majority of foreigners were ethnic Armenians, citizens
of Georgia-women and children who sought safe refuge in Armenia at
their relatives and friends.

There were also ethnic Georgians and ethnic Ossetians, as well as
Russian citizens of Armenian origin, fleeing Georgia, and also foreign
diplomats, members of their families and personnel of international
organizations in Georgia.

The UNHCR Armenia Agency has set up a task force with other UN agencies
in Armenia to examine the movement of population together with Armenian
government to be prepared for emergency situations.