Oil-rich Azerbaijan gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 amid political turmoil and against a backdrop of war and violence in Nagorno-Karabakh.   In 1994 a ceasefire was signed. About one-seventh of Azerbaijan's territory remains occupied, while 800,000 refugees and internally displaced persons are scattered around the country.   World In Need provides two forms of assistance to the people of Azerbaijan: basic humanitarian relief, and support for the creation of sustainable business enterprises. Although the government is providing some support for the poor, there are still huge gaps in that provision.  In Murovdag for example, for the last 8 months, WIN has been helping to support a feeding programme for the children in the local Kindergarten.  In another area, funds raised in the UK were used to repair a village water pump.  Before it was mended, villagers were forced to travel 7kms to collect drinking water.   Requests have recently been received to provide medical equipment for a hospital catering for two refugee camps.  In addition to one-off projects, our child sponsorship programme provides on-going support to over 40 children.   WIN’s Director in Azerbaijan regularly receives business proposals from individuals and communities.  Those with potential are reported back to the UK and the best are given financial backing so that those communities can become self-sustaining in the long term.

Vusal Akbarli WIN/AZ/CH/129   Vusal has cerebral palsy and cannot enjoy life as he should.  He lives with his parents, brother and sister in Gendja town where they fled as refugees.  His father, Ragiba, is a teacher at the university of agriculture and his mother, Vugar,  is a housewife and looks after Vusal.  His sister, Vusala is 11 years old and his brother, Kocheri, is 5 years old.   Although Ragiba teaches, this family does not have enough to support Vusal and his needs. If you could sponsor Vusal it would help this family to cope with Vusal’s disability and give his parents encouragement and the ability to provide better care for their son.	Jafarova Nabat Elshad WIN/AZ/CH/114   3 year old Nabat lives with her parents and grandparents in a refugee village.  Nabat’s father has no work and her mother looks after the home.  One grandfather owns a lamb and a few chickens, otherwise the family live in great poverty.   Nabat was born with a dislocated knee and hip which require regular treatment, which the family cannot afford.  She is a beautiful little girl who loves playing with toys.  Please will you consider sponsoring Nabat as your support would be such an encouragement to this very needy family who are living under very difficult circumstances.	Qanimat WIN/AZ/CH/126    4 year old Qanimat and his family had to flee their native town due to Armenian military occupation.  They now live in the town of Sheki. Qanimat has a problem with his intestines and needs treatment.  When he is well he enjoys playing with toys.  His father, Musa, has had two operations on his stomach and needs further surgery.  His mother, Humay, is also unwell.  He has a brother called Ayaz who is 8 years old and a sister Aygun who is 7 years old.  They live with their aged grandparents. If you could sponsor Qanimat it would help this family to cope with all their problems and give Qanimat a better quality of life.
Sami Rovshanov WIN/AZ/CH/124   Sami lives with his parents, Grandma and younger sister in Xanlar Murovadag.   The family are refugees from the Karabakh region, forced to flee their homes during the Armenian occupation.  Sami’s father Shaniz, has occasional work in a garden in Ganga.  His mother, Latafet looks after the family home, Sami and his sister Same who is 8 years old and in 3rd grade at school.  Sami has some form of mental disability.  He is a restless little boy and prone to mood swings.  He used to take medication to help with these symptoms but the family can no longer afford this.  Please will you consider sponsoring this very needy little boy.  Your financial support would provide vital help for Sami and his family.