Armenia

As of late 2024, Armenia was hosting more than 148,000 refugees, alongside over 4,100 people in refugee-like situations and nearly 1,000 asylum-seekers. The majority arrived in late 2023 after fleeing the crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, many with no time to even gather their most essential belongings. Others had sought safety in Armenia in earlier years, including people displaced by previous conflicts in Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as in countries such as Syria and Iraq.

For people who have fled their homes, life is full of challenges. Many have gone through sudden change, loss, and fear — and now must find a way to start over in a new place. On top of the humanitarian issues, Armenia itself is facing growing environmental pressures, including water scarcity, deforestation, and land degradation — issues made worse by climate change and already affecting agriculture and rural livelihoods. These overlapping pressures place added strain on both displaced people and the communities hosting them.

Estonian Refugee Council has been supporting displaced people in Armenia since 2023. Our work focuses on providing essential assistance to help people meet their basic needs, such as shelter, food, and hygiene, while also laying the groundwork for longer-term recovery and sustainable solutions.

"The self-help group meeting had a great impact on me."

"I feel younger — being here, interacting with people younger than me, and learning new things about myself and about how to do business. Can you imagine? I’m the oldest one here — 73 years old! "

– Seda from Armenia

We support the adaptation and well-being of crisis-affected people in Armenia through mental health support and community-based activities. We’re organising self-help groups for people in vulnerable situations, helping them regain control of their lives, rebuild their independence, and strengthen their ability to support themselves and their families. We have established Community councils throughout the country to provide people from Nagorno-Karabakh with a platform to collectively address the challenges their communities face and advocate for their rights.