Azerbaijan welcomes 50 families with new housing for former IDPs in Aghdara PHOTO / UPDATE

Another group of former internally displaced people (IDPs) has received keys to their new apartments in Hasanriz village, located in Azerbaijan's Aghdara district.

This marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to provide permanent housing for those displaced by conflict, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

The key handover ceremony saw participation from officials representing the Azerbaijani State Committee for Affairs of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, alongside representatives from the special representative's office of the President of Azerbaijan in Khankendi, Aghdara, and Khojaly districts.

The relocation of families to Hasanriz has been a part of Azerbaijan’s broader efforts to improve the living conditions of displaced people. With the latest arrivals, the village now hosts 50 families, totaling 166 people.

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Another group of former internally displaced people (IDPs), consisting of 25 families (75 individuals), has relocated to Hasanriz in the Aghdara district, as part of ongoing efforts to resettle displaced people in Azerbaijan. 

The families were previously temporarily settled in various districts of Azerbaijan, often residing in dormitories, sanatoriums, and administrative buildings. Their relocation to Hasanriz marks a continued step toward providing stable housing and improving living conditions for those affected by displacement, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

This relocation follows the move of other 25 families (91 people) to Hasanriz on March 3. With the addition of this latest group, the total number of families resettled in the village now stands at 50, comprising a total of 166 individuals.

Azerbaijan’s post-war reconstruction efforts in the liberated territories of Karabakh and East Zangezur are progressing rapidly. 

Following the conclusion of the second Karabakh War in 2020, the government initiated major restoration projects aimed at rebuilding infrastructure, improving socio-economic conditions, and facilitating the return of IDPs.

The State Programme, approved in 2022, includes the construction of over 34,500 residential units, schools, healthcare facilities, and roads, as well as the clearance of 280,000 hectares of minefields. By 2026, it is expected that 140,000 IDPs will return. 

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation is pivotal in restoring cultural and historical landmarks, while sustainable urban planning is being integrated into the development process. The "Great Return" programme will unfold in multiple phases, with the second phase planned for 2026-2040. This ambitious initiative highlights Azerbaijan’s robust development capacity, underscoring its post-conflict strength and resilience.

By Naila Huseynova