Letter to John Barsa, US Agency for International Development - Costa Leads Bipartisan Coalition Urging USAID to Support Humanitarian Demining Efforts in Artsakh

Letter

Dear Acting Administrator Barsa,

We are writing out of great concern regarding the recent escalation of conflict in Nagorno Karabakh. There is
an urgent need to address the humanitarian crisis brought on by the renewed outbreak in fighting and U.S.
support for the removal of explosive hazards that threaten large numbers of civilians in Nagorno Karabakh is
especially critical.
Bombings of cities with large populations including Stepanakert, Shushi, and Martakert have resulted in high
levels of explosive contamination including rockets, missiles, artillery projectiles, and cluster munitio ns. Over
73,000 people either remain in or have been displaced from towns and villages which are now contaminated by
explosive remnants of war. This is over half the population of the region prior to September.
Explosive ordnance pose a danger to people who remain, or are unable to leave, and will continue to present a
risk when displaced families return. All unexploded munitions present a risk to civilians if moved or
mishandled. Cluster munitions present a particular risk, as they are often present in large quantities due to high
failure rates, can be especially sensitive to disturbance, and cluster munitions used in Karabakh with bright red
ribbons attached are especially attractive to children.
Given the potential to protect civilian lives and contribute to efforts to stabilize Nagorno Karabakh, we
strongly urge USAID to invest in humanitarian demining and unexploded ordnance removal activities and to
provide additional humanitarian aid to help those in the conflict zone. Please give this request a ll fair and full
consideration within all the applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

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