The Council of Europe (CoE) is preparing a comprehensive aid package to address the humanitarian issues faced by displaced Artsakh Armenians now in Armenia.

The CoE, in a statement released yesterday, says the package follows the recent visit by the Special Representative on Migration and Refugees (SRSG) Leyla Kayacik to the region.

Kayacik identified specific areas for support that are included in the Council of Europe's Action Plan for Armenia (2023-2026) and the Action Plan on Protecting Vulnerable Persons within the context of migration and asylum (2021-25), including:

• Strrengthening the protection of human rights of refugees in vulnerable situations with direct support provided to the Migration and Citizenship Service of the Internal Affairs Ministry and the Office of the Human Rights Defender, particularly on vulnerability assessments , access to services and raising the awareness of refugees on their rights;
• Facilitating access to healthcare and mental care, including psychological support;
• Strengthening the capacities of professionals working with  vulnerable people;
• Addressing educational inclusivity and revising vocational curricula;
• Safeguarding children’s rights;
• Enhancing the resilience of local authorities.

"Through this dedicated and targeted package we will support our member state Armenia and its people, as they face these unprecedented hardships and challenges", said Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić.

Photo: Narek Aleksanyan (Hetq)