Limited Emergency Operation for the conflict affected population in Azerbaijan (December 2020 - May 2021)

LEO approved by the RD in December 2020.

High intensity fighting across the Nagorno-Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan since 27 September 2020 resulted in unconfirmed reports of more than a thousand civilian and military fatalities, with indications that most of the area’s inhabitants fled the region.  Fighting reportedly left extensive damage to infrastructure, roads and housing and caused complications in food delivery in the area.

As of end November, following the signing of a Tripartite Statement which halted hostilities, the security situation shows some stabilization.  Some return is reported, though the timeframe for safe and large-scale return and recovery is still to be seen given the high level of infrastructure damage, ongoing de-mining actions, the upcoming winter season, and capacity to meet needs of the returnees in the territory.

Currently, the UN does not have a mandate in the concerned region, but is coordinating with humanitarian partners to assess needs and support delivery of assistance for any voluntary return to the affected area.  WFP has also deployed emergency coordination support to the Office of the Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan, where WFP does not have a presence, to work alongside UN partners to assess needs and reinforce food security coordination.

The Limited Emergency Operation (LEO) provides a vehicle to channel WFP’s support to affected populations in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijanto ensure access to basic food needs for civilians affected by the fighting.  WFP’s Strategic Outcome 1, aligned with WFP Strategic Result 1, will focus on safeguarding access to food needs of affected populations not assisted under existing WFP or partner food security programmes through provision of food assistance and coordination for an effective response.  It will be delivered through two outputs:

• Affected populations receive food assistance to meet basic food needs; and
• Affected populations benefit from coordination and assessment to meet their basic food needs.

Based on the findings of assessments and the evolving situation, WFP will review planning assumptions and adjust as required.