November 7, 2023

Supervisors Horvath and Barger, who co-authored the motion, make clear that LA County stands in solidarity with the Los Angeles’ Armenian Community and the global Armenian diaspora 

Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed a motion to raise awareness and provide volunteer aid to displaced refugees in Armenia as a result of Azerbaijan’s illegal and unilateral seizure of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), which follows its blockade of the Lachin Corridor.  

The motion encourages humanitarian aid to flow to the Armenians affected by the conflict, especially the estimated 300 individuals who are suffering from severe burns and wounds from a fuel depot explosion during the Artsakh exodus last month.  

With only one burn specialist in Armenia, the motion directs the Department of Health Services to collaborate with Traveling Doctors, a global nonprofit organization, to provide volunteer opportunities and educational materials, as well as encouraging partnerships with telehealth services specific to treating burn wounds and skin grafting techniques for the 300 burn victims.  

“We must raise awareness about the ongoing atrocities being committed against Armenians in Armenia and Artsakh, as it is our duty to intervene and eliminate the threat of another genocide Armenian people,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. “Los Angeles is home to a large Armenian American diaspora, and today’s motion makes clear that LA County stands in solidarity with the Armenian people today and every day, and that we will continue to raise awareness and step up to provide aid wherever we can.” 

“I co-authored today’s motion to continue demonstrating my solidarity with my Armenian-American constituents and the Armenian community worldwide,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “Our County must continue using its powerful influence to both condemn the heinous acts of genocide by the Azerbaijani government and mobilize medical volunteers to tend to the suffering happening overseas. I’m hopeful the forthcoming partnership between Los Angeles County’s Department of Health Services and Traveling Doctors will result in more volunteers directly tending to the suffering taking place in Artsakh. The need is great.” 

To learn more about traveling doctors and to support their work, visit www.travelingdoctors.org.  

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