War in Nagorno-Karabakh highlights the vulnerability of displaced populations to COVID-19

Conflict, war and the resultant displacement of populations increase risk for infectious disease transmission. Forced migration, loss safe shelter, livelihood interrupted access to clean water, electricity healthcare all lead increases in epidemic risk. Refugees displaced people are uniquely vulnerable COVID-19. The chaos its aftermath override population health education messages wear a mask, socially distance wash hands frequently. Risk COVID-19 transmission is heightened living densely populated community spaces overcrowded shelters, particularly those with inadequate running soap appropriate sanitation hygiene facilities. Such circumstances make it challenging physically maintain proper hand hygiene. Overwhelmed systems fragile capacities social services further contributes group-specific vulnerabilities refugees people. World Health Organization (WHO) United Nations High Commissioner (UNHCR) have recognised disproportionate impact pandemic on these communities need protect them.1 2 We, Public Working Group Armenia, echo call previously made by Kluge et al 3 an inclusive approach guiding global response pandemic, emphasising principle leaving no one behind. We concerned about postconflict setting Nagorno-Karabakh Region recently Armenian who relocated Republic Armenia. In November 2020, governments Azerbaijan, Russia Armenia signed ceasefire agreement which brought end 6-week long between Azerbaijan over disputed region, enclave historically indigenous ethnic Armenians (online supplemental file 1). A recent re-escalation decades-long conflict, despite Secretary General’s during pandemic4 …