In 1997, Counterpart International’s Community and Humanitarian Assistance Program (CHAP) opened an office in Baku to provide humanitarian assistance to at-risk groups, particularly orphans, Internally Displaced People (IDPs), the elderly, invalids, and the infirmed. During this year, CHAP supported the needs of the aforementioned groups to the tune of over $1 Million in food aid, clothing, medical equipment, and other need-based assistance. By and through its desire to address the needs of institutionalized children, CHAP launched the Institutionalized Children’s Supplemental Feeding Program wherein CHAP distributed approximately 300 tons of humanitarian daily rations (HDRs) to more than 4,500 needy children in 35 different children’s organizations. In December 1997, CHAP launched the Azerbaijan Children’s Clothing Distribution Program, which provided clothing and other cloth-based assistance to the same children that received the HDRs.

In 1998 CHAP launched its Medical Assistance Program, which provided medical equipment and supplies to over 20 medical institutions in the cities of Baku, Ganja, and Salyan. Also in 1998, CHAP continued its need-based assistance to many vulnerable audiences throughout Azerbaijan by providing over $3 Million in food, clothing, medical equipment, and other needs-based assistance. Approximately 5,500 children in 44 children’s organizations were assisted, and food and clothing assistance was distributed to over 5,300 families of martyrs, invalids (both 1^st and 2^nd categories), and pensioners. In total, over 10,800 Azeri families received CHAP assistance.

CHAP in Azerbaijan increased humanitarian aid provisions in 1999. With over $4 Million of humanitarian assistance, CHAP addressed the pressing needs of IDPs and refugees that reside in tent cities in southern Azerbaijan. CHAP in 1999 also expanded its ‘service area’ by providing assistance to 6,500 children in 46 institutions in the regions of Salyan, Lenkoran, Sheki, Goranboy, and the Absheron Peninsula. Further assistance in the form of tents, beds, mattresses, sleeping bags, cloth, and clothing was provided to over 10,750 IDP families living in Sabirabad, Saatli, Imishli, Bilasuvar regions. Concluding 1999 with assistance to 20 medical facilities and hospitals placed CHAP in excellent shape to handle the many challenges of the new millenium.

In 2000, CHAP continued to distribute humanitarian assistance worth approximately $7 Million. With distributions in 51 strategic regions, CHAP was able to reach audiences previously untouched by humanitarian aid agencies. Also in 2000, over 35 hospitals and medical facilities in remote areas were supplied with critical medical needs. 2001 was a banner year for CHAP in Azerbaijan, where humanitarian assistance valued about $9 Million was successfully placed into the hands of countless needy people.

During 2002-2003, CHAP in Azerbaijan provided humanitarian assistance value at $9.3 million to its beneficiaries, consisting of children, orphans, large families, pensioners and others categories of vulnerable people.

Please click here for the list of Prohibited and Restricted commodities for importation as humanitarian aid in Caucasus Region.