Head of ICRC Delegation hails Azerbaijan`s attention to problems of refugees and IDPs

Baku, August 4, AZERTAC Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Delegation in Baku Elena Ajmone Sessera has praised what the Azerbaijani government is doing to address the problems of refugees and IDPs as she met with Deputy PM, chair of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs Ali Hasanov. “Development of Azerbaijan is apparent,” she said. Ajmone Sessera expressed gratitude to the Azerbaijani government for supporting the ICRC mission in the country. The two discussed cooperation between the ICRC and the government of Azerbaijan as well as other partners. They also exchanged views on projects implemented by the ICRC in Azerbaijan. Hasanov hailed the organization`s humanitarian programs for refugees and IDPs expelled from Nagorno-Karabakh. He provided an insight into conditions created by President Ilham Aliyev to ensure free and transparent activity of all international organizations in the country. He lauded Ajmone Sessera`s efforts towards meeting needs of the civil population. Hasanov noted the “important” work carried out by the ICRC in Azerbaijan in war situation. The head of the ICRC Delegation in Azerbaijan told about the organization`s projects aimed at providing agricultural support and financial grants for people who live in frontline zones and whose farms were damaged or destroyed during the April provocation of the Armenian armed forces, conducting first aid trainings in the conflict zone and organizing leisure activities for children suffering from the shock of war. They also discussed situation around two Azerbaijani citizens – Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev – who were arrested and later imprisoned by the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh regime after visiting the graves of their parents in a cemetery located in Azerbaijan`s occupied Kalbajar district. Hasanov said the issue had been under personal control of President Ilham Aliyev from the first day: “Instructed by President Ilham Aliyev, I discussed the issue of the release of our two citizens with the President of the ICRC when I was in Geneva. I asked him to assist us in establishing direct contacts of Dilgam and Shahbaz with their families through advanced communication means. He promised to help. But, unfortunately, there has been no result ever since,” Hasanov added.