Hello everyone. Currently I am in Armenia with a group that includes a film crew from Fresno. The media group from Fresno was originally coming to cover a medical conference and mission, but that shifted.
They (3-person media group) took off around 8am yesterday to head toward the border. The town, Goris, is about 4 hours from here.
https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/armenia/i-want-peace-refugees-plea-during-fresno-mission/
Since we arrived about 55,000 refugees have entered Armenia. There has not been any visible impact in Yerevan and life seems normal. But as the other 50-70K refugees arrive, I am sure that will change.
The country’s population is about 3 million, so absorbing an additional 120,000 in about 12 days time will be trying on resources.
While the US has pledged $11.4mil for aid, that is only about $100/refugee. Other counties including the EU, Japan, Germany have been sending money and resources as well.
The situation for those that have left their homes, businesses, lives is hard to fathom.