The Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs issued a statement on its Facebook page, noting that the Diaspora’s political and lobbying work during the war was not in vain, and that it continues to this day.
“Dear sisters and brothers of the Diaspora, throughout the entire war we witnessed an unprecedented pan-Armenian, pan-Diasporan consolidation and mobilization. The Diaspora truly became Armenia’s and the Armenian nation’s only pillar and support in the world. Everywhere an Armenian lives, there was a struggle for the homeland, for Artsakh, and for the Armenian people.
The assistance was multifaceted: material, volunteer, medical, psychological, military, political, and often also diplomatic. The Diaspora to some extent even filled the great void that was purely within the state’s domain. To this day, humanitarian cargo sent from the Diaspora continues to arrive in Armenia, even from the communities farthest from the homeland.
The volunteers who left the Diaspora for Artsakh during the days of the war were the brightest examples of noble dedication and patriotism. Some of them sacrificed their lives, others were wounded, but they did not abandon their positions. In the white army of the home front — among the ranks of doctors — there was no shortage of Diasporan Armenian doctors and healthcare workers, some of whom continue to remain by the side of our wounded soldiers to this day.
It is difficult to recall any major volunteer initiative undertaken in Armenia in which our compatriots arriving from the Diaspora were not involved. There is no doubt that the Diaspora’s political and lobbying work was not in vain, and it continues to this day.
During the brutal days of the war, when the world abandoned Armenia in the face of Turkey’s and Azerbaijan’s military aggression, the Diaspora remained Armenia’s only window to the outside world, its only link with humanity, its only hope and source of faith.
Dear compatriots, defeat is cruel, and the wounds of all of us are very deep. But for your undeniable support, for your unwavering determination to stand by the homeland and at its back, for your selfless struggle, we express our sincere gratitude. We are thankful for every effort of yours, we are thankful for your love, your care, your patriotism.
We all lost this war, but the Armenian soldier and the Armenian Diaspora won. The struggle continues, and together we have much great work to do. Let us take heart, rise from the ashes, be glorified by the valor of our martyrs, and move forward.”
