The Government of Azerbaijan has approved the allocation of 20 billion manats (4.26 million U.S. dollars) on the overhaul of hostels, which accommodate refugees and internally displaced persons.
Following the announcement, Deputy Prime Minister Ali Hassanov told Trend that the money would be spent on thorough repairs of 56 hostels in Baku and 21 similar facilities in Sumgayit.
“Within a month, the State Committee (on Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, SCRIDP) will prepare feasibility study for the project and вЂ" after the approval of the document вЂ" start renewal operations,” said Hassanov, who is also the SCRIDP chairman.
The issue of improvement of living conditions of refugees and IDPs has
been raised at a recent meeting, chaired by President Ilham Aliyev, with possible solutions to socioeconomic problems (of the above section of the population) considered by the participants.
There are about one million refugees and IDPs in Azerbaijan, following the expulsion of Azeris from their historical homelands in present-day Armenia and the occupation of one fifth of Azerbaijan’s territory. Both facts are the result of Armenian aggression against Azeris.
There are 268 hostels, which are in extreme need of repairs and presently accommodate refuges and IDPs, in Azerbaijan. Once the overhaul gets completed on the selected hostels in Baku and Sumgayit, the Committee will start the reconstruction of other facilities.