101 U.S. Congress Members Send Letter to USAID in Support of HALO  Trust`s Humanitarian Demining Efforts in Nagorno-Karabakh

ArmInfo. 101 members of the United States Congress, representing both parties, sent a letter to the Agency for International Development (USAID) in support of the HALO Trust's humanitarian demining efforts in Nagorno-Karabakh. The  Armenian Assembly of America reports.

According to the source, AAA worked with partners from the HALO Trust  to raise awareness and support this important humanitarian  initiative. "The Armenian Assembly supports the work of the HALO  Trust as it seeks to protect the people of Nagorno-Karabakh by  removing dangerous munitions. We greatly appreciate the commitment of  both parties to support this humanitarian effort. The current crisis  underscores the importance of the rescue work of the HALO Trust,"  said Director of Congressional Relations AAA Mariam Khaloyan.

"It is clear that more needs to be done to protect the people of  Artsakh and establish lasting peace in the region," said Congressman  Jim Costa. According to him, demining efforts save lives, and this  conflict has put the lives of thousands of people at stake. The peace  process must resume. I hope the USAID administration will act quickly  to fund mine clearance and remove unexploded ordnance in Nagorno-  Karabakh to prevent preventable casualties during and after the  conflict, "said the congressman.  "As an international organization  dedicated to the elimination of deadly explosives that are currently  scattered throughout Nagorno-Karabakh, we at HALO hope to see strong  US funding to respond to this humanitarian crisis unfolding in the  South Caucasus. We highly appreciate the representatives of Jim  Costa, Devin Nunez , TJ Cox, Gus Bilirakis, Brad Sherman, Bill  Johnson, Judy Chu, John Katko and many other members of Congress who  signed this letter to call on the US for support, "said HALO USA  Executive Director Chris Watley.

A frightening side effect of Azerbaijan's ongoing military attack on  the people of Nagorno-Karabakh means an increase in the number of  unexploded ordnance, including cluster munitions, present in all  localities. The HALO Trust is a longtime USAID partner, and members  of Congress are looking for opportunities to open up immediate  funding for emergency civilian protection activities in the region.   "The ongoing conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh is a humanitarian crisis  that requires immediate international attention. At the same time, it  is imperative that the US maintains funding for humanitarian demining  in the region. I am proud to join my two-party counterparts in  emphasizing this need for USAID, "said TJ Cox.