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Description of the Crisis
From 19 September 2023 until September 2024, a total of 115,366 people have arrived and been registered in Armenia following the escalation of hostilities in Karabakh. Among them, over 100,000 arrived through Lachin corridor within the initial two weeks after the escalation. The displaced population accounts for nearly four per cent of Armenia's total population of 2.7 million.
According to the UNHCR data 2024, the majority (around 76 per cent) of the total displaced population are residing in Yerevan and its surrounding regions. Almost 40 per cent of displaced individuals has settled in Yerevan with 16 per cent in Kotayk, 11 per cent in Ararat and 9 per cent in Armavir region, as seen on the map below.
Many displaced people choose to reside in Yerevan and nearest three regions, where they have existing family or social support networks, also considering better access to broader job markets, health case and better education opportunities. However, there are concerns that the government’s housing programme contributed to rising prices, impacting affordability for displaced people, particularly in urban areas like Yerevan where demand for housing is higher due to better job opportunities. Most of the displaced people currently depend on government assistance, which includes monthly rental support of 50,000 drams (around CHF 125) available from October 2023 to December 2024. When this support ends, many families might face difficulties in paying rent or mortgage, increasing the risk of housing insecurity and potential homelessness.
As part of a long-term housing strategy, the Armenian government has launched an additional housing support programme to aid individuals who fled from Karabakh, offering grants between 2 million and 5 million drams (about CHF 4,500 to CHF 6,700) for families with specific needs, including those with children or disabilities. Eligibility for the planned housing funding is limited to Karabakh Armenians who apply for Armenian citizenship. The initiative is expected to benefit up to 25,000 families. Despite this, many displaced people are concerned that the financial aid may not be enough to afford housing in desirable regions, given the rising costs.
Given the various challenges the displaced population faces, the uncertainty of future of the country and situation surrounding the status of displaced people in Armenia adds another layer of complexity. Although the Armenian Government has pledged to grant them refugee status and citizenship upon request, confusion has arisen because many displaced people believed they were already Armenian citizens, as they held Armenian passports with limited citizenship privileges. On 17 October 2024, the Government of Armenia extended the temporary protection (TP) for refugees from Karabakh until 31 December 2025 through Decree No. 1649-Ն (TP Extension Decree). The initial provision of temporary protection was granted for one year by Government Decree No. 1864-Ն on 26 October 2023, which remains valid until 31 December 2024. Refugee status in Armenia provides a comprehensive range of rights and benefits. Refugees have the right to work, access healthcare services, receive social assistance, pursue education, and engage in entrepreneurship on an equal basis with Armenian citizens. Additionally, they are entitled to state-funded legal aid. After one year of local registration, refugees gain the right to vote in municipal elections and are eligible to hold public service positions at the local level. The path to naturalization is facilitated, with exemptions from residency and language requirements for refugees. Furthermore, those of Armenian ethnicity are exempt from the Constitution test. Acquiring Armenian nationality grants full political rights, access to all levels of public service, and the right to own agricultural land. As of October 2024, following the displacement from Karabakh in September 2023, a total of 5,600 individuals or around 5 percent of those displaced people have applied for naturalization in Armenia.