The Plight Of Azerbaijan's Internally Displaced: Counting The Numbers

Azerbaijan has one of the highest numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs) per capita in the world, with hundreds of thousands of ethnic Azeris forced to flee their homes during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War in the 1990s. The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia resulted in the displacement of approximately 700,000 people, with the majority coming from the seven districts surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh. This has led to a significant IDP burden for Azerbaijan, with the government facing challenges in providing adequate support and living conditions for those displaced.

The 1994 ceasefire

The First Nagorno-Karabakh War was an ethnic and territorial conflict that took place from February 1988 to May 1994. The war was fought between the majority ethnic Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, backed by Armenia, and the Republic of Azerbaijan, with support from Turkey.

The conflict resulted in a large number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Azerbaijan. Before the 1994 ceasefire, there were roughly 600,000 IDPs, most of whom were from the seven districts surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh. By the end of the war in 1994, the number of IDPs had increased to approximately 700,000.

Despite the ceasefire, tensions remained high and the conflict was not fully resolved. Regular peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan were mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group but failed to result in a peace treaty, leaving the Nagorno-Karabakh area in a state of legal limbo. Occasional outbreaks of armed clashes continued, and Armenian forces continued to occupy approximately 9% of Azerbaijan's territory outside the enclave until the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War in 2020.

The Azerbaijani government has struggled to address the needs of the large IDP population. Initially, there was no institutional capacity or political will to deal with the influx of displaced people, and many IDPs lived in tents or abandoned buildings for years. However, in the early 2000s, the government began to devise strategies to assist the IDPs, including the construction of new housing. By 2007, the government had closed all tent camps, and by 2011, significant progress had been made in reducing poverty rates among IDPs.

Despite these efforts, challenges remain. As of 2024, there are still an estimated 400,000 people living in substandard housing conditions, and negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan on the return of Azeri IDPs are at a standstill. The issue of IDPs in Azerbaijan continues to be a complex and ongoing issue, with prospects for a resolution remaining uncertain.

The impact of Armenian forces

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the 1990s led to one of the world's largest populations of internally displaced persons (IDPs). Hundreds of thousands of ethnic Azeris were forced to flee their homes in the face of Armenian forces. The First Nagorno-Karabakh War resulted in the displacement of around 700,000 Azerbaijanis, including 500,000 people from Nagorno-Karabakh and the previously occupied surrounding regions, as well as 186,000 from Armenia. This conflict generated one of the largest IDP populations per capita in the world, with IDPs present in all of Azerbaijan's 76 administrative districts.

The actions of Armenian forces during the occupation also had lasting consequences. Towns and villages previously inhabited by Azeris were systematically dismantled and looted for building materials, telephone poles, electricity cables, and any valuable items. As a result, even if an agreement were reached to allow the return of IDPs, it would take years to rebuild these places and make them habitable again. The destruction caused by Armenian forces has left a lasting impact on the lives of displaced Azeris, making their return home even more challenging.

The conflict and displacement had severe consequences for those who became IDPs. Initially, the Azeri government struggled to respond to the massive influx of displaced people due to institutional incapacity, lack of resources, and political will. As a result, many IDPs lived in tents, abandoned railway cars, and public buildings for years before the government started addressing their needs more effectively. The poverty rate among IDPs was close to 75% at one point, and while it has improved, there are still concerns about substandard housing and the inability of people to return to their homes.

IDP living conditions

The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh has resulted in one of the world's largest populations of internally displaced persons (IDPs). The war, which began in 1987 and escalated between 1992 and 1994, led to the displacement of approximately 600,000 to 700,000 Azerbaijanis. This includes around 500,000 people from Nagorno-Karabakh and the previously occupied surrounding regions, as well as 186,000 from Armenia.

Initially, IDPs lived in tent camps and occupied public buildings such as schools, hostels, and dormitories. Many IDPs lived in these temporary accommodations for years, with some residing close to the front-line areas. The Azerbaijani government, facing institutional incapacity, lack of resources, and political will, did not initially have a strategy to address the massive influx of displaced people.

However, starting in the early 2000s, the government began to devise a strategy to assist IDPs. They enacted laws protecting the rights of IDPs and allocated more financial resources towards their needs. By 2007, the government had closed down all tent camps and started constructing new settlements. Between 2008 and 2011, the government built 108,000 housing units for IDPs, with plans to build an additional 115,000 spaces by 2015.

Despite these efforts, challenges remain for IDPs in Azerbaijan. As of 2009, there were still 603,251 IDPs in the country, with many living in substandard housing. IDPs often face physical insecurity due to their proximity to occupied territories near the Armenian border. Additionally, the accommodations provided by the government lack adequate infrastructure, including access to schools, medical centres, and community facilities. There are also limited employment opportunities in these areas.

While some IDPs have achieved good living standards, many continue to face poverty and inadequate housing. They often reside in collective accommodations or dwellings officially owned by other private persons. IDPs in urban areas, in particular, face significant poverty and sometimes inhabit segregated, ghetto communities. The trauma of war and displacement also takes a toll on their mental health and well-being.

IDP mental health

The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh has resulted in one of the world's largest populations of internally displaced persons (IDPs). The war and its aftermath have had a severe impact on the mental health of these populations, causing depression, anxiety, and stress-related psychosomatic illnesses such as dissociative disorder.

The conflict has resulted in a large number of missing, wounded, disabled, or killed Azerbaijanis. The war has also led to a lack of access to medical and psychological services for those affected. The psychological effects of the war on children, the healthcare shortage due to COVID-19, accommodation and welfare problems, limited access to vaccination, technology, and educational opportunities, dangerous explosive remnants, and the isolation and marginalization of IDPs are all challenges that impact the mental health of these populations.

To address these issues, intervention is required in terms of policymaking, healthcare services, information systems, and social support. National and international organizations, foreign aid, and media support can all play a role in promoting social integration and facilitating access to mental healthcare for IDPs. Programs such as support groups to share wartime experiences, resilience promotion, and psychosocial support for healthcare providers are recommended to improve the mental health of these populations.

The Azerbaijani government has made efforts to address the needs of IDPs, including providing preferential services and free medications to refugees. However, despite these efforts, very few IDPs sought medical attention for mental health issues. For example, in 2001, only 314 out of 144,000 refugees and IDPs in Baku sought outpatient psychiatric care.

The long-term mental health consequences of the conflict include depression, anxiety, and stress-related psychosomatic illnesses. Factors that negatively impact the mental health of refugees include the loss of close relatives, the stress of staying in hostile environments or being held hostage, uncertain social situations, economic difficulties, tense relations with the local population, and nostalgia for abandoned lands.

IDP legal aid

Azerbaijan has one of the highest numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs) per capita in the world, with a large number of refugees and IDPs resulting from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The First Nagorno-Karabakh War led to the displacement of approximately 700,000 Azerbaijanis, with hundreds of thousands of ethnic Azeris forced to flee their homes in the face of Armenian forces.

The Republic of Azerbaijan defines an internally displaced person as someone who has been forced to leave their permanent residence and move elsewhere within the country due to military invasion or natural or human-made disasters. IDPs in Azerbaijan are entitled to legal aid and awareness-raising activities provided by the UNHCR and its legal partners. These services include awareness-raising sessions, legal information, counselling and advice, legal assistance, and representation in courts, tailored to the needs of the communities and individuals.

Daily legal counselling sessions are available in project offices located in Aghdam, Baku, Barda, Fuzuli, Ganja, Mingachevir, and Tartar. The UNHCR also funds free legal assistance provided by contracted lawyers based in six cities or districts: Baku, Ganja, Mingachevir, Barda, Aghdam, and Tartar. These lawyers can be contacted during office hours via phone or in-person meetings. All services provided by the UNHCR and its partners are free of charge.

Comprehensive information on the rights and privileges of IDPs in Azerbaijan can be found on the official webpage of the State Committee for Affairs of Refugees and IDPs of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

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