US calls for continued humanitarian aid to Nagorno-Karabakh

(Patria) - The United States has called for continued humanitarian access to Nagorno-Karabakh as officials announced additional humanitarian aid to address healthcare and other urgent needs, Reuters reported.

The White House statement came after the death toll from an explosion and fire at a fuel depot in the breakaway enclave rose to 68, with 105 missing and nearly 300 injured.

“We are heartbroken by the news that at least 68 people have died and hundreds have been injured in a fuel depot explosion in Nagorno-Karabakh and we express our deep sympathy to the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and all those who are suffering,” the White House said.

“We call for continued humanitarian access to Nagorno-Karabakh for all those in need,” they added.

During a visit to Armenia, Samantha Power, head of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), said the United States would provide $11.5 million in humanitarian aid.

Armenians from Karabakh began fleeing this week after their forces were crushed in a lightning operation by the Azerbaijani army.