Churches urge EU to step up aid to displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh

By Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis’ appeal on Sunday drawing attention to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, adds to the concerns expressed last week by the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the World Council of Churches (WCC).

In a letter addressed on 12 October to Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission CEC General Secretary Dr Jørgen Skov Sørensen and WCC General Secretary Rev. Jerry Pillay urged the EU and the international community to substantially increase financial support for the provision of essential humanitarian assistance.   

Since the beginning of Azerbaijan’s military operation to regain control over the enclave in late September more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians (amounting to over 80% of its population) have fled their homes to neighbouring Armenia.

Need for sustained humanitarian support for the most vulnerable

In light of this massive exodus, the WCC and CEC called on Brussels and all members of the international community “to provide immediate and sustained humanitarian support for the refugees, especially the most vulnerable and the poorer members of the community who still lack adequate assistance to meet their basic needs for food, shelter and medical care, and for education for their children.” 

The letter also drew  attention to the fears of “possible further territorial incursions by Azerbaijan in southern Armenia”, with the intention of forcible establishment of territorial connection with its enclave Nakhchivan.  “In this context, the role of the EU in Armenia takes on a much greater significance,”, the Church leaders said.

CEC and the WCC expressed  great appreciation for the important contribution already made by the EU Mission in monitoring the situation along a part of Armenia’s eastern border with Azerbaijan. “However, with the dramatic shift in circumstances in the region, we are convinced that a substantial strengthening of the EU Mission’s personnel and resources will be needed to mitigate the risk of any such incursion and to help restore confidence among the people of Armenia,”  the letter said.

Protecting Armenian religious and cultural heritage 

The European Church leaders also highlighted that “A further key factor for future relations in the region will be the manner in which Azerbaijan now treats Armenian religious and cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh.” This concern was also voiced by Pope Francis in his Sunday appeal.