Wednesday, 27 September 2023
In the near future, support programs for our compatriots forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh will be implemented
The Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Narek Mkrtchyan and the press secretary of the Prime Minister Nazeli Baghdasaryan held a press conference today at the "Humanitarian Center" of the Government and presented details on the progress of the support provided by the Government to our compatriots forcibly displaced from Nagorno Karabakh.
As mentioned by Nazeli Baghdasaryan, 47 thousand 115 forcibly displaced persons from Nagorno Karabakh entered Armenia. 22 thousand 800 have been registered.
"After crossing Kornidzor, citizens are registered at special registration centers in Goris or Vayk, after which the distribution takes place. 4,002 people used state-provided accommodation, which is only 10 percent. 1465 people were accommodated in Syunik, 810 in Vayots Dzor, 976 in Gegharkunik, 298 in Tavush, 200 in Armavir, 30 in Aragatsotn, 203 in Shirak and 20 in Kotayk," said the Prime Minister's press secretary.
Narek Mkrtchyan noted that the Government establishes contact also with those persons who did not have a problem of residence and left for their preferred place. "We are contacting them. During these days, we have launched the primary needs platform, where our compatriots of Nagorno-Karabakh can register their needs. As of now, more than 3,000 needs have been recorded, for which an assessment will be carried out and we will provide all kinds of primary support: food, clothing, social care and other support," said the minister.
And those persons who have not been registered can contact the regional centers of the Unified Social Service, coordination and registration stations established in the regions and communities. "It is very important for them to be registered. This will give us a complete picture and an opportunity to assess the needs to effectively implement the upcoming projects and also to understand the scope of the beneficiaries. A project has already been put into circulation, which will give an opportunity to our compatriots of Nagorno-Karabakh to use the apartment rental and hospitality program. We plan to implement this in Syunik, Vayogh Dzor and Gegharkunik Provinces. The program will have another component: food cards will be provided to the beneficiaries. We also do not rule out that in the near future there will also be a component for the compensation of utility costs."
According to the minister, the main task is to solve the issue of the accommodationof our compatriots of Nagorno-Karabakh. "After conducting a full needs assessment, we will be able to present concrete plans. We have also launched a hotline, 114, during these days we have received more than 6000 calls regarding various problems," said the minister.
Narek Mkrtchyan also informed that the 49 territorial centers of the Unified Social Service are working together with regional administrations and coordination stations in order to develop medium-term and long-term plans for needs assessment.
Narek Mkrtchyan also noted that another platform has been launched - social support mapping platform. "Different NGOs, various initiatives have expressed their desire to provide support to the population forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh. We created that platform to enable them to assist us in this process and to allocate resources properly. We have received more than 170 offers through this platform. We will assess the needs and direct them accordingly," said the minister.
Referring to the issue of involvement of volunteers, the minister noted that a platform for volunteers has also been launched, where more than 650 volunteers have been registered so far.
Nazeli Baghdasaryan also informed that as a result of military operations and the explosion in the vicinity of Stepanakert, 237 medical patients have been transported to Armenia since September 19, of which 142 were transported by helicopter, 95 by ambulances. Another 80 patients are scheduled to be transported today.
