Lachin welcomes 18 new families as Great Return gains momentum

The repatriation of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) to the newly restored town of Lachin continues as per the directive of President Ilham Aliyev.

The latest group of returnees was dispatched from Baku’s Garadagh district, with 18 families, consisting of 59 individuals, now making their way back to Lachin, a city liberated from occupation, Caliber.Az reports.

To date, 570 families, or 2,090 people, have been resettled in Lachin, a significant milestone in the ongoing return process. This initiative has been made possible by Azerbaijan’s decisive victory in the Patriotic War, allowing former IDPs to return home voluntarily, safely, and with dignity after a 30-year absence.

Lachin’s returning residents have expressed deep gratitude to President Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for their comprehensive support. They also thanked the Azerbaijani military for liberating their lands, paying tribute to the martyrs who gave their lives for this cause.

On August 25, 2022, the Azerbaijani Army regained full control of Lachin city, along with the adjacent Zabukh and Sus villages.

The First State Program of the Great Return, approved by President Aliyev in November 2022, aims to fast-track the development of infrastructure, housing, and economic opportunities in the liberated regions. By 2027, approximately 3,500 apartments and individual homes are planned to be constructed, enabling the resettlement of 34,500 families of former displaced persons in phases.