On May 31^st British School in Baku held an annual International Bazaar in memory of Azerbaijan National Leader Heydar Aliyev and in support to the work of the International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF) for refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the war-affected regions of Azerbaijan, Eurasia Diary informs.

The purpose of the event this year, which was organized on the eve of International Children's Day (1^st of June) is to talk about the needs and difficulties of the children suffering from the consequences of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, in the frontline regions of Azerbaijan, and to show the desire to sustain the cooperation between the IEPF and British School in Baku (BSB).

The event was attended by a director of British School in Baku and rector of Odlar Yurdu University Prof. Ahmad Valiyev, variety of Ambassadors, corporations and individual representatives.

Prof.Valiyev welcomed the guests. He highlighted the importance of doing the work in support of refugees and IDPs in Azerbaijan.  

During his speech, the Ambassador of Mexico, Rodrigo Labardini congratulated the students of the school on the occasion of the International Day of Defense of Children and highlighted the relevance of the event in the approach of the cultures of different nations.

Principal of Secondary at British School Maxene Whittingham and Deputy Principal Philip Roche spoke about important humanitarian work carried by the school. Philip Roche appreciated the work of the IEPF and spoke about his experience of working with the Fund.

“When I met Umud Mirzayev (IEPF President) and listened him, I was very much impressed. I found myself volunteering to visit the conflict zone. I asked myself how these people can live there every day in the bombed houses, without water, electricity and without a chance to drop crops. But I saw the strength and courage in their eyes. They are determined to succeed. They have difficulties with schooling but we can support them through education. I am proud that BSB is involved in this activity. All money raised during this event will be spending to support these people”, Philip Roche said.

President of the IEPF Umud Mirzayev thanked Phillip for his endless support in organization of such an important event. He pointed out that today more than 65 million of people in the world became refugees or IDPs in result of the military conflicts and Azerbaijan is one of the countries, which is suffering from the war.

The short video about the life of children from the frontline regions of Azerbaijan, prepared by the IEPF, was also screened.

The official part of the event was followed with primary and secondary schools entertainment.  

Member of the Board of Governors at British School in Baku Rohayu Kutep cut the ribbon and declared the official opening of the Bazaar 2019 where different Embassies in Azerbaijan presented diverse samples of the culture of the countries, gastronomy and provided informative materials about own culture and customs.

It is important to mention that Philip Roche visited Terter region of Azerbaijan on the invitation of the IEPF and participated in the charity campaign initiated by British School and IEPF to help children in the region. Moreover, he recorded several songs to demonstrate his support to IDPs and to raise the money, which will go to help the people (IDPs) of the region.

The IEPF is a non-governmental international organization, established in Azerbaijan in 1992, which enjoys General Consultative status with United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Presently the Fund works in 5 key work directions: Peace-making & Conflicts Resolution; Refugees/IDPs Issues; Media & Civil Society Development; Community Development; and Education. Together with different UN entities, foreign diplomatic missions and international organizations it works on humanitarian, social, education and media projects aimed to support the vulnerable groups of population, mostly women, children and landmine victims. The partnership with British School in Baku has started this year.