UNHCR supports medical aid event for the internally displaced families in Tartar

The event took place on 15-18 November in Tartar Culture Center where at least 1500 persons are supposed to be examined by the ophthalmologists deployed by the State Agency for Mandatory Health Insurance from central hospitals of Tartar, Barda and Aghdam. Internally displaced people, mainly from Aghdam, Lachin and Kalbajar temporarily residing in Tartar, benefitted from the event. Based on prescriptions issued by the ophthalmologists, the beneficiaries received optical eyeglasses donated by the Japanese Fuji Optical Co. Ltd. The persons requiring additional medical examination and treatment were referred to the relevant medical entities.

The Japanese Fuji Optical Co. Ltd. has undertaken annual vision aid missions to Azerbaijan since 2005 but had to suspend them after 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic. However, the company maintains its humanitarian support to Azerbaijan through the UN Refugee Agency. Like last year, Fuji Optical Co. Ltd. donated 3,500 high-quality eyeglasses to Azerbaijan in 2022.

Fuji Optical Co. Ltd. carried out 15 vision aid missions to Azerbaijan during 2005-2019. Up to present, more than 33,000 internally displaced persons, refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable people in Azerbaijan have got their eyes checked, and around 65,000 pairs of high-quality eyeglasses have been donated to Azerbaijan. Since 2005, the company has spent over 3 million USD to support its humanitarian missions to Azerbaijan led by its leader Dr. Akio Kanai, a famous Optometrist Doctor and 2006 Nansen Refugee Award Winner.

UNHCR is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action, in cooperation with national authorities, to protect and find solutions for refugees worldwide. The Agency has been operating in Azerbaijan since December 1992 when the country was challenged with massive displacement.