Armenia - DHA-14: 1-31.Aug.97
Armenia - DHA-14: 1-31.Aug.97
DHAGVA 97/0333
Situation Report from the DHA Coordinator in ARMENIA - No. 14
August 1997
HIGHLIGHTS
- The World Food Programme issues Appeal to the International Donor
Community.
- Armenian Social Investment Fund plans expenditure of USD 400,000 in
Tavoush Region.
- Governmental Commission publishes report on Noyemberian Earthquake of
18 July - earthquake damage runs into millions of dollars. Assistance
sought from the international community.
SITUATION OVERVIEW
Social Life
Head of the Department for Refugees and Migration of the Ministry of
Social Welfare (MoSW) Mekhak Gabrielian stated at a news conference held
on 20 August that one of the principal issues is the placement of
refugees. A project being developed by the Department is aimed at
providing special identification cards to refugees, to allow them to
travel outside the country. Mr. Gabrielian said that it is a problem to
estimate the real number of refugees in Armenia due to unregistered
migration flows. Only 1,000 refugees have obtained citizenship, which,
according to him, is due to a certain psychological orientation related
to the perception that refugees are more likely to receive humanitarian
assistance than citizens of the country.
The Minister of Social Welfare Hranush Hakopian and the Iranian
Ambassador to Armenia Hamid Reza Nikkar Esfahani held discussions
related to social security issues. The Minister was invited to
participate in the regional conference devoted to social issues which is
to take place in December 1997 in Teheran, Iran.
According to the press service of the MoSW, the -cleaning- process of
PAROS programme continues. Registered households should provide papers
confirming the information recorded in their social passports by 15
September 1997. Deputy Minister Gagik Yeganian said the previously used
system of individual grants will be replaced by a new system of family
grants, based on the PAROS system. The Government will allocate 13
billion drams for this purpose. Instead of the registered 736,000
families, PAROS programme will aim to provide support to the 250,000
most vulnerable families.
The Armenian Social Investment Fund (ASIF) is carrying out earmarked
activities in Siunik marz to reconstruct the social infrastructures of
the marz. A USD 292,000 programme is being implemented in three major
towns. The ASIF approved two more programmes worth USD 206,000,
including the reconstruction of the road leading to the fields of
Kornidzor village, and construction of irrigation water-pipes in Sissian
town.
SECTORAL SUMMARY OF EVENTS
Food Security and Agriculture
WFP issued an appeal to international donors to provide food aid to
Armenia, where current supplies will run out in September 1997. WFP asks
for 16,483 MTs of food or USD 7.7 million to cover the needs of 220,000
vulnerable people during September 1997 - 30 June 1998. The situation is
conditioned by the absence of humanitarian food assistance to Armenia
for already 3-4 months, besides the 3,200 tones of wheat assistance
provided by the Japanese Government. DHA Yerevan issued a special
bulletin on this issue, which has been widely distributed. According to
Fridrikh Badeyan, Head of the Working Group of the Humanitarian
Assistance Commission (HAC), the anxiety of WFP is conditioned by recent
natural disasters throughout the country which have caused considerable
damage to crops and may, thus, have a negative impact on food security
during the winter months in the country.
The Government of Germany will allocate DM 40,000 worth food to Siunik
marz, mainly Goris and nearby villages affected by the recent floods.
The Office of the -Armenians South: Integration Programme of Food
Provision- (IESP) of Technical Cooperation Society (GTZ) will also
assist in implementing a humanitarian action by distributing food among
different communities in Sissian region.
An agreement on providing 96 MTs of wheat, has been signed between CARE
and the Governor of Gegharkunik marz on 13 August. Aid will be
distributed to 320 families in nine villages of Vardenis region of the
marz, which were affected by rain and hail.
Save the Children (SCF) organised construction of an irrigation
waterline in Gavar city of Gegharkunik marz. 30 percent of the expenses
will be paid by the local community. The waterline is 1,000 meters long
and will irrigate 20-25 hectares of land.
The US Embassy in Armenia plans to set up a special fund to promote the
restoration of food industries and the private agricultural sector
damaged by the earthquake in Shirak marz. The US Embassy issued a
statement saying that privatised patented enterprises involved in
agricultural production are entitled to receive short and
intermediate-term credits.
Hail and abundant rains again caused an emergency situation, this time
in Lori and Shirak marzes. The extent of the damage caused to the
agriculture and economy of the marzes is being estimated.
Health and Sanitation
Among the problems Armenia is currently facing in the health sector, the
procurement and rehabilitation of medical equipment is one of the most
urgent. At present all issues related to purchase, shipment, repairs and
maintenance of medical equipment are dealt with by an Armenian-French
joint company Medical Equipment and Service (MeS). Samvel Khachatrian,
Service Manager of the company, reported that MeS has designed a project
-Rehabilitation of Medical Equipment- at medical establishments in five
regions of Armenia. Medical equipment worth USD 5,000,000 is now being
operated in these regions. The project was approved by the Ministry of
Health (MoH). Currently, funds are being sought for its implementation.
United Armenian Fund (UAF) delivered its regular humanitarian assistance
to Armenia, including medicine and medical equipment worth USD 2.4
million.
The Government of Armenia issued a decree restructuring the
Scientific-Research Institute of General Hygiene and Occupational
Diseases into a -Gtutiun- (Charity) Medical Centre to provide free
medical care for the poor sections of the population.
OXFAM completed the implementation of its programme - -Health Promotion
in Refugee Communities- funded by DFID, UK (Department for International
Development). The health promotion programme is aimed at addressing
priority health needs of the most vulnerable population through
reinforcement of health infrastructures in isolated rural areas. The
programme also incorporated a disability component targeted at provision
of physical access for disabled people in public buildings. OXFAM has
started the implementation of a programme incorporating components of
drinking water provision, nurse training in emergency aid and health
cost recovery schemes.
The Armenian Social Investment Fund (ASIF) plans to invest more than USD
400,000 for the reconstruction and repair of public infrastructure in
Tavoush marz. The Mayor s office and offices of community heads have
elaborated 13 programmes to reconstruct irrigation and drinking water
system. The ASIF has approved the programmes but financed only one. The
delay is conditioned by the fact that most of the communities are not
able to make the proposed 10 percent contribution.
Shelter
The Government of Germany allocated DM 5 million to construct 82 out of
121 cottages for refugees and IDPs, representative of the Federal
Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development Marion Gopman said.
This humanitarian action was implemented jointly with UNHCR within the
framework of the programme of assistance to refugees and IDPs started by
the Government of Armenia in 1995. The Government of Germany also
provided financing for construction of a policlinic, a health centre,
water and sewage systems.
The governmental press service reported that long term loans will be
provided to the population for housing construction in the earthquake
zone, aimed at improving living conditions of those who lost shelter and
found temporary refuge in unsafe buildings.
The Governmental Commission established to assess the extent of damage
caused by the 18 July earthquake in Noyemberian region, announced the
results of the assessment on 10 August. According to the Commission s
findings, the earthquake damaged 17 populated areas, 5,120 private
houses (1083 of them are to be torn down), 18 dwelling houses, 149
social facilities, 6,846 subsidiary buildings and constructions. Damage
caused to the population and social facilities has been assessed at 10,7
and 4.5 billion drams respectively. The commission instructed the
leaders of the affected communities to render assistance to people in
repairing their homes before the government aid arrives. It is planned
to provide cottages to those whose houses are to be torn down. The
Government has requested assistance from the international community to
meet the costs of rehabilitation and repair.
Construction works on 21 unfinished apartments for refugees have been
resumed in Sissian, Siunik marz within the UNHCR shelter Project. Water,
sewage and energy systems will be reconstructed as well.
Education, Training and Child-care
Three camps for 300 children from poor families, which are sponsored by
the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) and UNHCR have been organised in
Armavir region.
Development Related Activity
The NGO Resource and Training Centre, operating within the framework of
the programme on training and technical assistance to non-governmental
organisations begins a new stage in its activity. A total of 526 NGOs
from Yerevan and Giumri are registered with the Centre. According to the
Centre, the public sector should be prepared and trained to solve
problems, like refugees, disabled, culture, economy, etc. During this
new phase participating NGOs will be trained in earning money under an
extension of their activity.
The Attorney General of Armenia, Centre for Democracy and Human Rights
(CDHR) and UNHCR signed an agreement on computerisation of the
prosecutor s office. A total of USD 30,000 will be allocated, USD 5,000
of which will be spent for training of specialists. The Embassy of the
United States in Armenia earlier allocated USD 8,000 for the same
purposes.
Community Development and Income Support Activities
The project -Micro-Enterprise Development- has been signed between the
Armenian Government and UNDP. The project, implemented by IOM, is aimed
at increasing the economic self-sufficiency of migrants, displaced
persons and refugees and enabling them to eliminate dependency on
humanitarian aid. Under the project, micro-enterprise training will be
provided to 630 refugees-IDPs in Yerevan and Gyumri. Successful training
graduates will receive assistance in establishing -portable-
micro-enterprises through business financing, advisory and support
services.
The programme -Bed Linen Production by Vulnerable Women and Relief
Distribution to Hospitals and Vulnerable Groups- funded by DFID (UK) and
implemented by OXFAM, provided opportunities for income and employment
to 120 unemployed, displaced and disabled women in two centres in
Abovian and Biureghavan. Total 9450 sets were produced and distributed
to 39 regional hospitals and 1737 refugee families in 47 communal
centres.
Energy
The State Energy Commission made a decision to increase tariffs for
electric power starting on 1 September. According to the Chairman of the
Commission Vardan Movsissian, the new tariffs are mainly a result of
increasing dollar rate to the Armenian dram.
Within the framework of an aid programme in the energy sector, a second
inter-governmental agreement on collaboration in reconstruction of the
Kanaker hydro-electric power plant was signed between Armenia and
Germany. A loan worth DM 15 million will be provided to Armenia for the
implementation of the project.
OTHER ISSUES
On 7 August DHA undertook a field trip to Noyemberian region, Tavoush
marz, to make an assessment of the damage caused by the earthquake on 18
July 1997. A report based on the available information and the
observations made by DHA, was prepared and distributed to the
international community in Armenia.
On 12 August DHA and ECHO met with Keith McMahon, Deputy Head of
Mission, UK Embassy, to discuss the possibilities of funding an MSF-B
project proposal on reconstruction of the Noyemberian hospital, which
was damaged by the earthquake in July. Mr. McMahon expressed his
interest in the possible UN-ECHO joint assessment with regard to the
increased food insecurity in winter due to crop damage caused by
significant floods and hails during the current agricultural season.
DHA together with UNHCR-DHA Sissian Field Office, visited Goris on 26
August to assess the current situation in Goris city and the utilisation
of donated funds. Significant work has been done by the local
authorities, construction companies to reconstruct sewage and water
systems, some sections of the storm drainage system, as well as to clean
up debris from the drainage system and streets in Goris city. The
Municipality stated that almost 70 percent of the sewage system will be
reconstructed with the donated funds. The Armenian Government will
allocate 50 million drams (USD 100,000) to Goris city for purchasing
fuel, reconstruction of bridges, cleaning up debris. Out of this amount
30 million drams (USD 60,000) will be used to repair water and sewage
systems in the city.
This report is available on the internet through RELIEFWEB:
http://www.reliefweb.int
United Nations Office in Yerevan, Armenia
Mr. Robert Robinson
Tel.: (003742) 56 23 55 - Fax: (003742) 15 17 49
E-Mail: undha@arminco.com
Inter-Agency Support Branch (IASB) - Geneva
Mr. David Bassiouni - Chief
Ms. Sylvia Ferazzi
Tel.: (41 22) 788.1402 - Fax: (41 22) 788.6386
Registry E-Mail: Rosemary.Addo-Yirenkyi@dha.unicc.org
Complex Emergency Division (CED) - New York
Mr. David McLachlan-Karr
Tel.: (1 212) 963.0226 - Fax: (1 212) 963.1388
E-Mail: mclachlan-karr@un.org
Press to contact (DHA-Geneva)
Ms. Madeleine Moulin-Acevedo
Tel.: (41 22) 917.2856 - Fax: (41 22) 917.0023
Telex: 414242 DHA CH - E-Mail: Moulin-Acevedo@dha.unicc.org
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