Committee: Over 8,500 former Azerbaijani IDPs return to Karabakh, East Zangezur

More than 8,500 former Azerbaijani IDPs have returned to Karabakh and East Zangezur within the framework of the implementation of the first State Program “Great Return”, according to the country's State Committee for Refugees and IDPs.

In line with the order of President Ilham Aliyev, ensuring the comfort and safety of former IDPs returning to their homeland is a priority task, Caliber.Az reports, citing the state committee.

The committee added that there is still a mine threat in the territories liberated from occupation, for the elimination of which demining measures are taken, as well as educational work is carried out among the population.

The "Great Return" initiative seeks to support the resettlement and rebuilding of regions impacted by conflict. Under the scheme, plans are in place for the development of three urban centres, five settlements, and 24 villages in the districts of Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Zangilan.

The first phase, running from 2022 to 2026, aims to facilitate the return of over 41,000 former internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral homes.

By Khagan Isayev