Next group of families resettles in Azerbaijan's liberated Kalbajar PHOTO

A new group of 32 families, comprising 139 people, has relocated to Kalbajar as part of Azerbaijan’s ongoing Great Return program, which facilitates the return of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) to territories liberated during the 2020 Karabakh war.

The families had been living in temporary settlements across various regions of the country, including hostels, sanatoriums, and administrative buildings, Caliber.Az reports via local media. 

Upon returning to their homeland, residents expressed gratitude to President Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for the state support provided throughout the resettlement process. They also extended thanks to the Azerbaijani Armed Forces for liberating the territories and paid tribute to those who lost their lives in pursuit of this goal.

Launched in 2022, the Great Return program aims to resettle around 140,000 IDPs by 2026. The project includes the reconstruction of 100 settlements with essential infrastructure such as housing, schools, hospitals, and utility networks. Between 2020 and 2023, over $4.6 billion was allocated to the initiative, with total investment expected to reach $17.6 billion by 2030.

The second phase of the program, planned for 2026 to 2040, will focus on the full restoration and integration of all liberated territories.

By Sabina Mammadli