U.S. Embassy in Armenia bought $1m worth of emergency gear in Aug-Sept

PanARMENIAN.Net - Not long before the Azerbaijani military launched a large-scale offensive against Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan enhanced security measures by purchasing 1 million dollars’ worth of emergency equipment, Octagon.Media said in an article detailing some of the American mission’s unusual expenses.

In August – September, the embassy procured goods amounting to more than $937,000. The first purchase of August was hand-held emergency and repair equipment worth some $47,000. A month later, the embassy sealed a $51,000 deal for the purchase of tools with another company.

The embassy also ordered surveillance equipment, safety vests and wands, spike strips, air pollution sensors, rescue dummies and medical equipment, security systems, and equipment for conducting forensic examination of digital evidence. The embassy placed several other large orders in late September, including security belts for $325,000 and accessories for Glock-19 handguns worth over $100,000.

The safety-related measures were taken in August 2020. At least between 2015 and 2019, no emergency equipment was purchased by the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan.

Also in September, the staff’s health insurance was extended, medical supplies were renewed. Such purchases have been made on a regular basis.

Azerbaijan, with help from Turkey, launched a large-scale offensive against Karabakh (Artsakh) in the morning of September 27, shelling Armenian positions and civilian settlements with large caliber weapons and rocket systems. Armenia and Karabakh have introduced martial law and total mobilization. The Armenian side has reported deaths and injuries both among the civilian population and the military. International and local journalists too have been injured in Azeri shelling of towns and villages, as well as the iconic Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in Shushi.

Donations can be made to Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, which has launched a fundraising campaign to support Karabakh amid Azerbaijan's aggression.