October 1, 2023

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In less than a week, well over 100,000 ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh – almost the entire estimated population of the territory - have poured into neighbouring Armenia, triggering a humanitarian crisis with acute health needs. WHO is working urgently to support the Ministry of Health of Armenia, under the wider government-led response, both now and in the months ahead.

“As the exodus began, I swiftly deployed my Special Envoy Robb Butler to help assess the situation and strategize with the Armenian Ministry of Health on a comprehensive health emergency plan. We have already mobilized health supplies and international expertise to assist a health system dealing with a sudden, massive influx of refugees, many of whom have specific medical needs,” noted Dr Hans Henri P Kluge, Regional Director of the WHO Regional Office for Europe.