The tragic history of the Armenian people is closely intertwined with the history of Mission Stephanus e.V. Four years after the mission's founding, two tireless staff members lost their lives in a tragic traffic accident during an aid transport to Armenia. This event compels us to continue this vital work.
Since September 27, fierce fighting has been taking place day and night in the Karabakh conflict zone [as of October 2020]. The Christian country of Armenia borders Muslim countries on all sides. Azerbaijani forces are shelling peaceful towns and villages in Karabakh, destroying homes, hospitals, and churches.
Since a state of war was declared in these areas, the civilian population has been injured and killed. A daily list of civilians and soldiers killed is published online. Many Christian families have lost their fathers, sons, and brothers between the ages of 18 and 21. With many of the men of these three generations no longer alive, the next generation is now being drafted into the war. Even 70-year-old men and women are going to war.
The worst affected, however, are the extended families in the traditional Christian areas of Karabakh. Many of these families have fled Karabakh. Christian communities in the cities of Yerevan, Obovyan, Gyumri, and others are providing these refugees with shelter and support in their community centers. To do this, they divide the community hall into room-sized squares using clotheslines and separate them with curtains. This allows many families with children to be accommodated in one community hall. Currently, a total of 391 refugees are living in the community centers. In addition, many are being housed with families.
Refugees in the community
The coronavirus pandemic is significantly worsening the situation. Last week, a large family arrived from Karabakh, and unfortunately, they are all infected with the coronavirus. There is a lack of medication and facilities to ensure the necessary isolation. Armenia urgently needs a miracle from God to survive this terrible time and preserve the lives of God's children.
When we asked the pastor to send us information about the situation in Armenia, he began to cry and said he simply didn't have the time. He had conducted funerals for several days in a row, and the next one was imminent. He barely had time to get home before he was called away to the next funeral.
The Armenian people are sharing all their possessions with their fellow countrymen. Each family is donating their clothing, bedding, and food to collection points, which are then sent to the war zones. More and more people are losing their homes, and the cold season is fast approaching. We want to help the civilian population and those affected by the war and are planning to purchase essential supplies locally to distribute to those in need. We are launching a fundraising campaign and ask for your active participation. Everyone can do something good!
Please specify "Armenia Relief" as the purpose of your donation (bank details can be found in the imprint) or donate here: https://cdh-stephanus.org/geldspende/
Nelli Dalinger,
CDH-Stephanus