Great Return: 22 families return to Jabrayil district's Horovlu village Photo/ UPDATED

Another group of formerly internally displaced persons (IDPs) has arrived in the village of Horovlu in the Jabrayil district as part of the First State Program on the “Great Return” to the liberated territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

On December 15, 22 families comprising 85 people reached their native village after setting out earlier in the morning, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

The returning residents were welcomed to the fully restored settlement, entering their homes with visible emotion and expressing admiration for the extensive reconstruction and natural beauty of the area.

The village of Horovlu covers a total area of 248 hectares. During the first phase of reconstruction, 334 private houses were built on 94 hectares. The newly constructed homes, ranging from two to five rooms, are fully equipped with water, electricity, gas, solar panels, and high-speed internet access. The village’s internal road network has been completely paved.

Essential social infrastructure has also been established, including a secondary school with capacity for 624 students, a nursery school for 220 children, a two-story administrative building, a market complex, multifunctional catering facilities, a medical center, and a sports and recreation complex.

Several ancient kyakhriz systems—“Asker,” “Shigy,” “Orta,” “Gülgasym,” and “Khalifa”—which were destroyed during the years of occupation, have been restored.

In addition, a 4.4-hectare park complex has been created in the village, with walking paths connecting Flag Square to the market complex. Landscaping works include the planting of olive trees, plane trees, and Eldar pines across 3.1 hectares.

09:18

In line with the instructions of President Ilham Aliyev, the Great Return to Azerbaijan’s liberated territories is continuing.

As part of the current phase, 22 families totaling 85 people are resettling in the village of Horovlu in the Jabrayil district, Caliber.Az reports via local media. 

Returning residents expressed their sincere gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva for the comprehensive state support extended to them. They also conveyed appreciation to the valiant Azerbaijan Armed Forces, including the heroic soldiers and officers who freed the country’s lands from occupation, and offered prayers for the souls of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in this cause.

The families resettling in Horovlu had previously been living in temporary accommodation across different regions of the country, primarily in dormitories, sanatoriums, and administrative buildings.

Launched following Azerbaijan’s Victory in the 44-day Patriotic War in 2020, the Great Return program is a large-scale, multi-dimensional initiative aimed at resettling more than one million former internally displaced persons in their native lands by 2030. 

The program includes the reconstruction of housing and infrastructure, as well as the development of schools, healthcare facilities, utilities, and other essential services, with particular emphasis on mine clearance and sustainable development.

By Sabina Mammadli