On September 19, around 1 p. m. , Azerbaijan introduced a primary military offensive against Artsakh, displacing tens of thousands of citizens. The same other people who lived under blockade with little or no food and basic necessities have now been forced from their homes. Many citizens of Artsakh have no way to evacuate their villages or are concentrated at the Stepanakert airport, secured by Russian peacekeepers. Recently, thousands of others are being transferred to Armenia (as of 22. 00 on 24 September, 1,050 people had entered Armenia).
Humanitarian aid is the most important thing for forcibly displaced people in Artsakh. The Armenian Food Bank, a humanitarian aid organization with the clear goal of helping those who have been forced to flee, steps in to help. Founded in 2020 by Michael Avetikyan, an Armenian Canadian and military veteran, along with his wife, the Armenian Food Bank Charitable Foundation in Armenia provides much-needed humanitarian assistance to low-income families with youth and veterans’ families in need.
Michael is known as one of the 15 fastest shooters in the world and one of the five most level-headed shooters in North America. In March 2020, he and his wife traveled to Armenia, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they were not allowed to go. They made the decision to use their time and help low-income families affected by the pandemic, which led them to create the first food bank in Armenia: the Armenian Food Bank. The bank also supported the Armenian army and soldiers. families the Artsakh war of 2020.
Its base has a transparent and concise objective: to provide aid in the form of food aid and clothing to all families in need.
“We are the first charitable food center and the largest food bank available in Armenia, serving needy families, Americans and organizations. Together, we fight hunger and its root causes, because no one deserves to go hungry,” their project states.
The Armenian Food Bank also cares for young people from poor families, so that they can continue their studies and break the cycle of illiteracy that plagues the country’s rural areas. In 2020 alone, it assisted more than 200,000 citizens of Armenia and Artsakh and collected and transferred 12 tons of humanitarian aid to Artsakh, with the help of Armenians in the diaspora. The organization works like a well-oiled machine. Everything is organized and distributed properly according to needs. First, the organization goes there to find out what other people need, whether it’s food, clothing, or hygiene products. Then they return to their site in Yerevan, gather the aid and make the delivery. This approach allows other people to get exactly what they need, without waste.
Currently, their sole mission, with the help of dozens of volunteers, is to collect and distribute food, clothing, toys and hygiene products to others arriving in Armenia from Artsakh. About 60% of the donated pieces come from other countries. Currently, it collects formula, diapers and essential hygiene products from women who cannot breastfeed. Many other people also donate children’s toys and clothes, as well as warm clothes such as coats, before death began to arrive in Armenia. Every day in Armenia, the expectation of an exodus of forcibly displaced people from Artsakh grows. An increasing number of people of all ages are volunteering their time and helping those in need.
If you are interested in supporting the Armenian Food Bank, please do so by visiting their site on https://www. armenianfoodbank. org/