US Embassy in Azerbaijan faces funding shortage amid government shutdown

The United States Embassy in Azerbaijan has announced that it is experiencing financial difficulties following the suspension of federal funding, which has disrupted its regular operations.

In a statement published on its official Facebook page, the embassy said that regular updates would not be available until funding is fully restored. Only urgent announcements related to safety and security will continue to be shared.

“Due to the suspension of funding, regular updates will not be made until fully functioning of our Facebook social media account is restored. The exception applies only to emergencies and important safety information.

Currently, the scheduled passport and visa transit services in the United States as well as at the US embassies and consulates abroad will continue as long as possible, while the funding is stopped. Updates on our social media accounts will continue only after fully functioning is restored. Impeachable and security information is exceptional. Visit travel.state.gov for the latest information regarding our services and the current status of our activities.

Due to the lapse in appropriations, this Facebook account will not be updated regularly until full operations resume, with the exception of urgent safety and security information.

At this time, scheduled passport and visa transit services in the United States and at U.S. Embassies and Consulates overseas will continue during the lapse in appropriations as the situation permits. We will not update this account until full operations resume, with the exception of urgent safety and security information. For information on our services and operating status, visit travel.state.gov,” the post reads.

The funding suspension is linked to the partial shutdown of the US federal government, which took effect on the night of October 1. The shutdown occurred after Republicans and Democrats in Congress failed to reach an agreement on a list of budget expenditures.

Earlier, the White House Office of Management and Budget instructed federal agencies to activate contingency plans for the suspension of funding. The office noted that staff were expected to report to work on October 1 to “take organised measures” related to the shutdown.

By Tamilla Hasanova