January 21, the Artsakh Republic National Assembly Standing Committee on Social Issues and Healthcare organized a discussion of the situation that arose as a result of the blockade.

Artur Tovmasyan, President of the Artsakh Republic National Assembly, took part in the discussion. Responsible persons of the social, health and energy systems were invited.

Representing the situation in the sphere he leads, the newly appointed Minister of Social Development and Migration, Armen Mangasaryan, provided information on the peculiarities of the coupon system that has been in operation for two days, the process of pension and other vital payments, the provision of food to the child care and protection center and the Stepanakert boarding house, as well as the necessary assistance to the representatives of various social groups.

Touching upon the issue of employment, the minister noted that in the current situation, more than 700 employers cannot provide jobs for employees. A list of measures to reduce the existing social tension will be developed before January 25.

During the blockade, 158 children were born in Artsakh, the number of women in the mother and child center in Stepanakert is 23, the vitamin balance of pregnant women is also ensured with the help of peacekeepers, there are no problems with baby food yet, all medical institutions are provided with medicines. There is a problem with diapers and feminine hygiene items.

Fuel for ambulances is also available, some of them will be gasified, in extreme cases, vehicles of the International Committee of the Red Cross will be used. In the conditions of the energy crisis, the system is provided with the necessary amount of fuel and generators.

Andranik Khachatryan, director of "Artsakhenergo" CJSC, and Artur Dadasyan, deputy director of "Artsakhgas" CJSC also presented programs.

Andranik Khachatryan presented information about the cause and location of the accident, the available resources of the energy system, justified the decision to switch to a six-hour fan shutdown starting today. He informed that in order not to disrupt the production cycle, 2 milk factories and bread baking points are provided with electricity 24 hours a day.

Artur Dadasyan touched upon the problems of gas supply. According to him, gas supply has been restored in the republic at the moment.

The deputies asked many questions to the speakers and made suggestions. They proposed to introduce the population needs assessment program a day before, which will address the implemented social support, they referred to the problem of increasing the efficiency of the voucher system, they proposed to establish a voucher for eggs and dairy products, and to carry out the distribution of baby food with the help of local medical workers.

It was emphasized to bring up the problems arising in the places with legislative-executive cooperation and to give them a systematic solution.