Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society ready to deliver any humanitarian cargo to Garabagh Armenians Official statement

The Red Crescent Society, through its employees and volunteers, is ready to support the delivery of any humanitarian goods to the Armenian residents of Garabagh along the Aghdam-Khankendi road, the Azerbaijani Red Crescent Society stated.

"The Azerbaijani Red Crescent Society for more than 100 years, since 1920, being an integral part of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Movement, guided by the fundamental principles of the international movement, in particular the principles of neutrality, impartiality, uniformity, carries out its activities both in peacetime and in conditions of military conflicts, during emergency situations, providing the necessary humanitarian assistance to war victims, internally displaced persons and refugees, victims of mines, etc., regardless of their religion, nationality, race, political views," the message reads, according to Caliber.Az.

The association, in close cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, provided appropriate humanitarian assistance to the victims during the First Garabagh War, the 44-day war, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Unfortunately, recently we have observed a biased campaign around the issue of humanitarian needs of Armenian residents living in the Garabagh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan," the statement said.

Taking this into consideration, the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society declares that it is ready, in accordance with:

- Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan;
- Articles 3.0.1; 3.0.8; 3.0.9 of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society";
- Articles 6; 9; 15 of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On the use and protection of the emblems of the Red Cross and Red Crescent";
- the statute of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society;
- the principle of "unity" of the International Movement;
- Constitution and mandate of the International Federation and with the help of its staff and volunteers to support the delivery of any humanitarian cargo to the Armenian residents on the Aghdam-Khankendi road, including food, medicines, clothes, etc.

Thus, the implementation of this humanitarian mission fully complies with the requirements of both national legislation and the Geneva Conventions and their supplements, as well as the 2022 amendment to the Seville Agreement adopted in 1997. Under the amendment, National Societies are given the lead role in the implementation of humanitarian assistance. The full potential of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society has been mobilised to carry out this humanitarian mission".

This statement was adopted at the expanded meeting of the Governing Council of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society on August 21, 2023.