ICC Report Highlights the Faith, Struggle of Armenians Displaced from Artsakh
A new report by International Christian Concern (ICC) documents the continuing hardship and resilience of Armenia’s displaced Christian population nearly two years after the fall of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).
“Hope and the Wandering Souls from Artsakh: Reflections on a Delegation Visit,” written by ICC staff following a U.S. Christian delegation’s visit to Armenia earlier this year, details firsthand encounters with refugees, church leaders, and government officials, painting a vivid picture of a nation struggling to recover from what many describe as a campaign of ethnic and religious cleansing.
More than 120,000 Armenian Christians were forced to flee their homes during Azerbaijan’s 2023 military takeover of Artsakh, following a nine-month blockade that cut off food and medicine to Armenians. The mass exodus, according to the report, “has left an entire generation displaced, grieving, and searching for belonging.”
Despite these losses, the report documents Armenia’s deep resilience.
“Faith remains the backbone of Armenian identity,” the report notes, describing the country’s ancient Christian heritage as a source of strength amid uncertainty.
The ICC-led delegation, joined by organizations including Save Armenia, WallBuilders, and the Shai Fund, met with President Vahagn Khachaturyan and visited refugee communities across Armenia. The delegation also partnered with local ministries and relief efforts, providing housing, employment, and trauma care.
The team found that while emergency aid has stabilized the situation, long-term needs remain acute — particularly for widows, children, and rural families who lost both homes and livelihoods. Refugees repeatedly voiced one shared hope: to return to Artsakh someday.
The report also assessed the “Agreement on Establishment of Peace and Inter-State Relations” signed in August 2025 between Armenia and Azerbaijan at the White House. While hailed internationally as a peace milestone, the report warns that the accord offers no concrete guarantees for displaced Armenians, the release of prisoners, or the protection of cultural heritage sites.
Azerbaijan continues to suppress dissent and religious freedom while erasing Armenian historical landmarks in captured territories. Satellite images, the report noted, confirm the destruction of dozens of churches and cemeteries since 2023.
Armenia’s Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs reports that more than $250 million in aid has been distributed to refugees, with support from local NGOs and church networks. Initiatives like the Tufenkian Foundation’s “Svarants Village” project are resettling families near the southern border, providing housing and jobs in agriculture and beekeeping.
Still, the emotional toll remains high.
“We have lost everything but our faith,” one displaced mother told ICC. The report highlights how churches and schools have become centers of community and hope, offering spiritual counseling and education to children traumatized by war.
ICC urged the international community to continue advocating for religious freedom, justice, and accountability in the South Caucasus.
“The suffering of Artsakh’s people must not be forgotten,” the report concluded. “Their story is not only about loss — it is about faith, endurance, and the belief that God has preserved Armenia through every trial.”
To read the full report, click here.
