Since the end of September 2023, more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians have sought refuge in Armenia after fleeing conflict in Karabakh. Many families are now forced to start from scratch, as they fled with just the bare necessities, leaving homes, schools and lives behind.

Humanitarian crises take a heavy toll on women and girls, who are cut off from life-saving services, while risks of violence, sexual exploitation and abuse increase as support networks fold. Among the refugees who have arrived in Armenia are an estimated 2,000 women who are currently pregnant, with close to 1,400 pregnant women expected to give birth within the next six months.  

Access to basic and essential services, including reproductive and maternal health, psychosocial support, and services to prevent and respond to violence are critical to ensuring that refugee women and girls get the care and support they need and can overcome the distress caused by the recent displacement.

Since day one, UNFPA has been working with national and local authorities and partners to provide life-saving reproductive health care and to preposition dignity kits containing essential hygiene items for tens of thousands of women, girls and at-risk populations among refugee and  host communities in Armenia. 

As part of the UN Refugee Response Plan, UNFPA is appealing for US$4.5 million to strengthen and scale up reproductive health and protection services to meet the immediate needs of both refugees and host communities for a period of six months (October 2023 to March 2024).

Updated on 7 November 2023