Over 100,000 people have fled the region of Karabakh and entered Armenia as refugees since hostilities escalated on 19-20 September 2023. All but a few of the region’s inhabitants have left, many with only a few bags of personal belongings. The government of Armenia has mounted a swift emergency response and relocated the refugees across the country. However, there are significant needs for the refugee population as well as for the host community, especially the most vulnerable (including pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, people with disabilities, women and girls at risk of gender based violence, youth and older persons) who urgently need support for their physical and mental wellbeing.
Women and girls make up at least 51% of the refugees. They need access to essential reproductive and maternal health, are particularly vulnerable to GBV in this crisis, and are lacking basic access to menstrual health items and protection services.
UNFPA has worked in Armenia since 1999, with a focus on reproductive health and rights, population and development strategies, gender equality and youth. Since 2020, UNFPA has also provided humanitarian assistance to people in Armenia affected by the conflict.
$4.5 million is required to strengthen and expand reproductive health and protection services to meet the immediate needs of refugee and host communities.
