The Toll of Conflict: Nagorno-Karabakh

I miss my home, my toys and my friend

Eduard* is scared and sad. At the end of September, this eight-year-old boy and his family had to flee their home in Nagorno-Karabakh, and can never go back.

Worse than imagined

Eduard lived with his parents and two older siblings in Hardut, a town in Nagorno-Karabakh. In August 2020, the birth of his baby brother brought much needed joy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. "My three older children were so happy," says Maria, Eduard's mom. "They cared for him and played with him like a doll. I couldn't imagine our life would soon be ruined."

When the armed conflict started in late September, the family hoped it wouldn't last long. "We thought it would stop after several days, like in 2016," Maria remembers. After two days of continuous bombing, the family moved to the grandparents' house which had a basement. 

"It was our second day in grandpa’s basement," remembers 14-year-old Narek. "Dad was away the whole day. My siblings slept but I was awake. I heard dad came back saying we had to run as soon as possible. Then I understood that things were very bad, even worse than I imagined."

Uncertain future

The family fled without taking any clothes or documents. "We came to Yerevan and were sheltered in a hotel," says Maria clenching her hands. "I was desperate because we had no papers, no clothes, and, as it seemed, no future."

After some days, the family was visited by field workers of SOS Children's Villages. They immediately started receiving in-kind support which still continues. "It was like a miracle," Maria says adding that the support makes their life in Yerevan a little bit better.

The family now tries to overcome the trauma they all experienced and accept the new reality. "I am afraid to think about the future," Maria sighs. Under the terms of the peace agreement signed in November, the family's home remained on territory where they cannot go back. "My husband tried to go back to get the documents but he was not allowed," Maria says.

Eduard longs for his life back home: "I miss our house and my toys. I miss my school and my friends. Here I go to school, but it's not the same. I want to go back home, but mom says we can't. My close friend was our neighbor Ashot*. I wonder where he is now and whether we'll meet again one day."

*Names have been changed to protect the privacy of the children.

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