Some Yazidis of Iraq have told Aziz Tamoyan, the Head of the Yazidi community in Armenia, that they may ask refuge in Armenia, Tamoyan said in response to ArmInfo's question.
He could not bring the number of possible refugees, saying that many Yazidis are aware of Armenia's hospitability and seek refuge in Armenia. In this light, Tamoyan thanked the Government of Armenia and President Serzh Sargsyan for the financial assistance for Yazidis from the country's reserve fund. He said that there are nearly 1.5 million Yazidis in the territory of Iraq who are facing genocide by Islamists. "Yazidis are murdered on the same scenario as Armenians were massacred in the Ottoman Empire in 1915," Tamoyan said.
He blamed France and USA for speaking of democracy while closing eyes on the crimes against humanity in the 21st century. "In case of desire, the United States would have already settled that issue. Meanwhile, Washington prefers watching the massacre silently," he said.
On 15 August, Armenia's Foreign Ministry reported the Government will send humanitarian aid in the amount of $50,000 to the Iraqi Yazidis that fled their homes to avoid extermination by ISIS militants. Later, on 18 August, Armen Saghatelyan, Spokesperson of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said the president charged diplomatic missions abroad to redouble efforts towards settlement of the given problem. The president and prime minister mull to increase the envisaged humanitarian aid to the Iraqi Yazidis. The issue of humanitarian aid will be settled in a few days, he said.