By 1916, some 300,000 refugees of the Armenian Genocide and other areas had settled in Russian Armenia under impoverished conditions.
In a response to the crisis, in 1916, a relief committee was set up which aimed at assisting at least 250,000 Armenian refugees by providing food and shelter.
Yarrow believed a stronger and independent Armenia would alleviate the refugee problems.

After staying for two years in the United States, Yarrow began helping the refugees in Armenia and became a staff officer for Colonel Haskell's mission by 1919.
Of the later stages of the Caucasus Campaign, Yarrow said "the Turkish advance terrifies the Armenians; and the Caucasian tartars who are unfriendly to the Armenians surround them.
There is danger that the whole Armenian race will be exterminated should the combination of these forces be successful."

In 1920, Yarrow took charge as the director of the Near East Foundation.
At one point as director, he had responsibility for 30,000 children who had sought refuge in the Caucasus.
In Armenia, Yarrow started a street cleaning program and other irrigation projects which provided jobs to some 150,000 refugees; through the program, many of the refugees earned wages which helped them finance their daily activities independently.
He later remarked that "in training 30,000 children for future citizenship I feel that I have a real part in the development of the new Armenia."

In 1924, Yarrow petitioned the United States State Department to restore Armenian territory that was lost to Turkey in 1920 and 1921.
By 1916, some 300,000 refugees of the Armenian Genocide and other areas had settled in Russian Armenia under impoverished conditions. In a response to the crisis, in 1916, a relief committee was set up which aimed at assisting at least 250,000 Armenian refugees by providing food and shelter. Yarrow believed a stronger and independent Armenia would alleviate the refugee problems.
After staying for two years in the United States, Yarrow began helping the refugees in Armenia and became a staff officer for Colonel Haskell's mission by 1919. Of the later stages of the Caucasus Campaign, Yarrow said "the Turkish advance terrifies the Armenians; and the Caucasian tartars who are unfriendly to the Armenians surround them. There is danger that the whole Armenian race will be exterminated should the combination of these forces be successful."
In 1920, Yarrow took charge as the director of the Near East Foundation. At one point as director, he had responsibility for 30,000 children who had sought refuge in the Caucasus. In Armenia, Yarrow started a street cleaning program and other irrigation projects which provided jobs to some 150,000 refugees; through the program, many of the refugees earned wages which helped them finance their daily activities independently. He later remarked that "in training 30,000 children for future citizenship I feel that I have a real part in the development of the new Armenia."
In 1924, Yarrow petitioned the United States State Department to restore Armenian territory that was lost to Turkey in 1920 and 1921.
Ernest Yarrow