Many Armenians from the Nagorno-Karabakh region have been moved from their houses for the second time in their lifetimes. This is the second time that they have been forced to leave their homes.
Following their escape from the war-torn region in the 1990s, they reestablished their lives in Armenia, only to be displaced once more by the conflict that occurred in 2020. They are currently dealing with a sense of belonging that is becoming increasingly weak, as well as poverty and trauma, and they are facing an uncertain future.
Karabakh, which had been under Armenian control for a considerable amount of time, was retaken by Azerbaijan as a result of the current war. Because they were afraid for their lives, thousands of people fled the area as the conflict became more intense. A great number of people crossed the border into Armenia, coming with minimal possessions other than the clothes they were wearing.
Mariam, a 50-year-old woman who arrived in Armenia with her two children mentioned that they left behind everything that they had which included their house, their animals and their memories just so they would be able to survive.
The Armenian government scrambled to provide shelter, but many refugees ended up in overcrowded camps or temporary housing. They face a harsh reality of poverty and unemployment. Many lack proper documentation, making it difficult to access social services and find work.
They felt disoriented and did not know where they would be able to start because they have nothing there, according to David, a young man who lost his leg in the war. David stated that they knew they had nothing there.
Deep psychological trauma is caused by being uprooted from one’s home. A great number of refugees have the wounds of war, having been witnesses to acts of brutality and tragedy. Having trouble falling asleep due to the presence of nightmares. Especially vulnerable are children, who frequently withdraw from others and experience anxiety.
The prospects for these refugees are not clear at this time. There are many who continue to hold on to the hope that they will one day be able to return to Karabakh; nevertheless, the new peace accord has left the status of the territory unclear. Others are making a gradual but steady effort to reconstruct their life in Armenia, but the obstacles they face are enormous..
Mariam stated that they require assistance. In order to find work, to educate their children, and to recover from the trauma that they have experienced. The international community has pledged aid, but it has been slow to trickle down. Local NGOs are doing their best, but their resources are stretched thin. The plight of Karabakh refugees is a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict.
They are caught in a political limbo, their lives uprooted, their futures uncertain. As the world focuses on the geopolitical implications of the war, it must not forget the human stories – the families, the children, the individuals who have lost everything, twice.
Only through sustained support and a commitment to finding a lasting peace can these refugees hope to rebuild their lives and find a place to call home, once again.