Greece sends humanitarian aid to Armenia

The Greek Ambassador to Armenia, Evangelos Tournakis, announced on Thursday that Greece has sent humanitarian aid to Armenia to meet the needs of forcibly displaced persons from the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The shipment, consisting of 4 tons of necessities, arrived in Armenia on November 2, marking Greece's continued commitment to helping those affected by the ongoing crisis.

The humanitarian package from Greece not only includes material aid but also brings specialized support personnel. A team of psychologists and social workers accompanied the delivery, ready to provide crucial psychological support to those uprooted by the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.

"Greece stands by Armenia, as evidenced by today's delivery," said Ambassador Tournakis, as reported by Armenpress.

This aid initiative coincides with the European Commission's recent announcement of increased humanitarian funding for Armenia. In response to the significant influx of displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh, the Commission is expanding its assistance by nearly €1.7 million. This increase reinforces existing EU support through cash assistance, shelter, food, livelihood support, and access to protection and health services. This additional funding brings the total EU humanitarian contribution to Armenia to over €12 million in 2023.

Janez Lenarchic, EU Commissioner for Crisis Management, underlined the importance of this assistance in the context of the approaching winter. "We will not forget the Armenians of Karabakh," he said, stressing the EU's commitment to prepare for the additional challenges that winter will bring. He pledged continued cooperation with partners on the ground to assist vulnerable populations.

In a related development, Cyprus, another EU member state, announced in early October its plans to send humanitarian aid to Armenia through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism. A collection of humanitarian assistance was scheduled from October 9 to October 13. This Cypriot initiative was a collaborative effort involving various state agencies, local authorities, and organizations, further underscoring the EU's collective support for Armenia during this crisis.

*Photo: Armenpress