The Bishop of Coventry received the following written answers on 17th October 2023:
The Lord Bishop of Coventry asked His Majesty’s Government what (1) humanitarian assistance, and (2) financial support, they are offering the government of Armenia to meet the needs of refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con, Foreign Office): The UK is providing £1 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to provide life-saving medication, healthcare and other essential support to those affected by the recent conflict. The UK has also deployed medical staff, through the British government’s official Emergency Medical Team, to help treat those injured in the fuel depot blast in Nagorno-Karabakh on 25 September. We are liaising with the UN, ICRC and others to assess humanitarian need in the region and if further UK assistance is required.
The Lord Bishop of Coventry asked His Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Azerbaijan to allow international observers into Nagorno-Karabakh to monitor the ceasefire agreement of 20 September.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: It is vital that international humanitarian organisations have independent access into Nagorno-Karabakh, so they can assess humanitarian need and respond appropriately. His Majesty’s Ambassador to Baku raised this with Azerbaijani officials, We therefore welcome Azerbaijan’s decision on 1 October to allow UN agencies into Nagorno-Karabakh, to complement ongoing efforts by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The Lord Bishop of Coventry asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the government of Azerbaijan’s military offensive of 19 September in Nagorno-Karabakh; and what representations they have made to that government to encourage it to cease the offensive to allow for a resumption of negotiations with Karabakh Armenians on outstanding issues.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The return of conflict to Nagorno-Karabakh on 19 September was devastating for the local population; the subsequent ceasefire announced on 20 September must now be upheld by all parties. The Azerbaijani Government must continue to engage in talks with ethnic Armenian representatives in Nagorno-Karabakh and ensure that it delivers on its humanitarian commitments. I [Lord Ahmad] raised this at the UN Security Council on 21 September and with the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister on 23 September. Direct dialogue is the only way to secure stability and security for the region.
The Lord Bishop of Coventry asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the humanitarian needs of Armenian Karabakhs in Nagorno-Karabakh, following the latest military offensive of 19 September, and what assistance they are providing to meet those needs.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh has placed local communities under immense pressure. We welcome the news that the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have access into Nagorno-Karabakh. The UK is providing £1 million to the ICRC to provide life-saving medication, healthcare and other essential support to those affected by the recent conflict. The funding will also support the ICRC to transport the wounded and help displaced families keep in contact. We are liaising with the UN, the ICRC and others to assess humanitarian need in the region and what further UK assistance is required.
The Church of England in Parliament 
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