© 2024. ILLUSTRATION BY PEACE DIALOGUE NGO
This report presents findings from standardized interviews conducted with individuals displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh who have sought refuge in Armenia, including perspectives from those displaced during the mass exodus in September 2023.
The research employs Johan Galtung’s Typology of Basic Human Needs in combination with the “Position/Interests/Needs” (PIN) framework to guide its methodology. It features 106 structured interviews with displaced individuals now residing in Armenia, providing an in-depth examination of their needs and concerns in four critical areas: Security, Welfare, Freedom, and Identity. The analysis was conducted using the ‘Inclus‘ digital platform, developed by former affiliates of the Crisis Management Initiative (CMI), offering detailed insights into the complex interplay of factors affecting these communities.
Respondents were given options for continuing the interview based on their preference: whether they preferred to stay in Armenia or return to their home. Among them, 44 expressed their commitment to stay in Armenia, 36 preferred to return home, and 26 chose another option. For subsequent analyses, the needs of the group who decided to stay in Armenia and those who were unsure about their future plans were evaluated jointly, while the data for the group expressing a desire to return to Nagorno-Karabakh were analyzed separately.
The study highlights several key correlations, dilemmas, and contradictions in the perceptions of threats to peace among respondents. The primary difference between those planning to stay in Armenia or who are undecided and those intending to return to Nagorno-Karabakh lies in the intensity and focus of their concerns. Potential returnees exhibit significantly higher levels of concern across all categories, particularly regarding identity, democratic governance, and cultural preservation. In contrast, those staying in Armenia show more balanced but still substantial concerns, emphasizing general security and living standards. Addressing these complex concerns requires nuanced, context-specific interventions that prioritize both immediate security needs and long-term peace-building goals.
This is the third publication in a series based on Peace Dialogue’s research work released earlier this year. The first report focused on understanding the multifaceted impact of the conflict on Armenian society, excluding those displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh. The second publication analyzed the narratives of basic human needs prevailing in Armenia through the results of focus group discussions.
See full publication in English under the link below:
The Voice of the People II / Insights from Displaced Individuals from Nagorno-Karabakh (pdf, 701 Kb)
On this topic, please, see also:
The Voice of the People: Addressing the Needs of Conflict-Affected Societies in Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Efforts (pdf, 734 Kb)
Narratives on basic human needs, prevailing in Armenia (pdf, 3 Mb)
The project was notably supported by Conciliation Resources (CR) in London and the Crisis Management Initiative (CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation) in Helsinki, under the auspices of the European Union.
The content of the publication is the responsibility of the Peace Dialogue NGO. It does not necessarily reflect the views of the Conciliation Resources and that of the European Union.
