Evacuation comes as a blockade of the Lachin Corridor has barred food, medicine, and other vital necessities from entering the region for almost two months
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) announced today that she assisted in the evacuation of two Rego Park, Queens constituents out of Artsakh. The evacuation comes as concerns of an humanitarian crisis are mounting due to the ongoing blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan.
“Helping my constituents, no matter where they are in the world, is always my top priority,” said Meng. “I am proud to have helped in the evacuation of Garegin Akopyan’s wife, Lusine Akopyan, and his son, Andranik Akopyan, who traveled to the region to visit the gravesite of Lusine’s deceased father, only to find themselves trapped as a result of Aliyev’s blockade. I am deeply concerned by the worsening humanitarian situation in Artsakh caused by the blockade. I will continue to work to ensure free movement through the Lachin Corridor is restored. This blockade must come to an end.”
The blockade comes following months of recent clashes and has resulted in a shortage of food, gas, medicine, among other necessities, and has limited internet access to just a few hours a day for thousands of Armenians, many of which are children.
Meng worked with the State Department and the Armenian National Committee of America to help facilitate the evacuation.
