The Humanitarian Aftermath in Armenia

Emergency shelter and housing

Armenia faced the immediate task of accommodating more than 100,000 displaced people.

Temporary arrangements included hotels, guesthouses, government facilities, rented apartments, and private homes.

Some refugees were housed by relatives or friends.

Others depended on public assistance or humanitarian organizations.

As the emergency period ended, temporary accommodation became increasingly difficult to sustain.

Housing prices and rental costs created major problems, particularly in Yerevan and other urban areas.

Families with limited savings faced the possibility of repeated displacement within Armenia as short-term accommodation arrangements expired.

Employment and economic integration

Many refugees had lost their businesses, agricultural land, professional networks, and sources of income.

Farmers who had previously relied on land and livestock could not easily resume their occupations in cities.

Teachers, doctors, engineers, tradespeople, and public-sector employees needed to find positions in a different labor market.

Some professional qualifications or employment histories required administrative recognition.

Others encountered difficulties because jobs were unavailable near affordable housing.

Economic integration became one of the most important long-term challenges.

Education

Thousands of displaced children entered Armenian schools.

Although Armenian was already the principal language of instruction for many, children still faced differences in curricula, classroom environments, administrative systems, and educational resources.

Some had missed schooling during the blockade and military emergency.

Others experienced psychological distress that affected concentration, attendance, and social adjustment.

Schools required additional teachers, supplies, counseling services, and capacity.

University students also faced disruption, including uncertainty about academic records, transfers, scholarships, and housing.

Healthcare and psychological trauma

Refugees arrived with a range of medical needs.

Some had injuries from the September fighting or the fuel-depot explosion.

Others had untreated conditions worsened by the blockade.

Chronic illnesses, interrupted medication, maternal healthcare, disability services, and rehabilitation created additional demands.

Psychological needs were equally significant.

Many refugees had experienced multiple wars, repeated displacement, loss of relatives, prolonged deprivation, and sudden separation from their homes.

Post-traumatic stress symptoms, depression, anxiety, grief, and sleep disturbances affected individuals and families.

Children were especially vulnerable to the effects of insecurity and disrupted routines.

UNHCR identified durable housing, employment, education, and mental-health support as continuing priorities after the initial emergency.

UNHCR Armenia

The burden on host communities

Armenian municipalities, local charities, religious organizations, and ordinary citizens played a major role in the refugee response.

However, local services were placed under pressure.

Housing markets tightened, schools absorbed additional students, and healthcare providers faced greater demand.

Long-term integration required coordination between government ministries, local authorities, international organizations, and community groups.

The challenge was not simply to keep refugees alive during the first weeks.

It was to help displaced families rebuild stable lives without losing their identity, rights, or connection to Nagorno-Karabakh.