Congressman Brad Sherman has testified in support of direct U.S. humanitarian assistance to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) families under Azerbaijani blockade.

“People of Artsakh have lived in that region for thousands of years. Joseph Stalin made that region a part of Azerbaijan. The result has been a terrible conflict including what is now a three-month blockade of Armenians living in that region,” Rep. Sherman said.

“They desperately need humanitarian assistance, and I hope you are generous in providing humanitarian assistance for the people of Artsakh,” he said.

Since December 12, the sole road connecting Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia - the Lachin Corridor - has been blocked by self-described Azerbaijani environmentalists. Karabakh residents have reported food and fuel shortages, while hospital patients don't have access to essential medicines, with only a handful allowed transfer to facilities in Armenia proper.