COVID-19 is Confirmed in Nagorno Karabakh
Mountainous Nagorno Karabakh is one of the most isolated places in the world. It receives little international outside aid. For nearly three decades landmines have haunted Karabakh鈥檚 families. Now they face a terrifying new threat鈥攖he COVID-19 pandemic. The first cases were confirmed in Nagorno Karabakh in April and, if the outbreak spreads, it could devastate local communities.
HALO is the only international charity working in Nagorno Karabakh. For twenty years, we have been clearing the landmines that threaten people鈥檚 lives and livelihoods.
As one of the largest private employers in the territory, with 30 4x4 ambulances, only HALO can safely reach mountain villages and protect vulnerable families in the face of COVID-19.
Our team in Nagorno Karabakh is responding to the COVID-19 emergency. We started our first deliveries of hygiene kits in April, taking supplies to Kichan and Nor Ghazanchi villages. Located in a remote area of northern Karabakh, without HALO, their inhabitants would have no means of obtaining the supplies they need to stay safe.
We are also helping support a national health emergency. As well as delivering PPE supplies to local hospitals and clinics, our mechanics have begun fitting our 30 ambulances with partitions so they can safely transport COVID-19 patients from remote areas to hospital.
HALO鈥檚 presence in Nagorno Karabakh is a crucial lifeline for countless communities. We have the know-how to keep our staff safe, mobilise our logistics and make sure that no-matter how isolated, no one is left alone in the face of COVID-19.