June 20 has been declared World Refugee Day by the United Nations since 2000, and this year's slogan is "Hope away from home. A world where refugees are always included." This is another opportunity to draw attention to the biggest humanitarian crisis in recent years- the refugee problem.
The Armenian Red Cross Society, within the framework of the Population Movement, carries out the protection and integration of asylum seekers, displaced persons, refugees and persons with refugee-like status in RA including improvement of reception conditions, social support, improvement of conditions of entry into the territory of RA and maintenance of the principle of non-return, improvement of self-sufficiency and lifestyle, strengthening of communities, raising awareness and integration, prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence.
In the recent years, the ARCS has supported more than 120,000 people.
The Armenian Red Cross Society closely cooperates with state bodies in the mentioned field: the Migration and Citizenship Service of the RA Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Security Service, the Police and other interested structures related to the field.
In the activities carried out for asylum seekers, displaced persons, refugees and persons with refugee-like status, the main international partner of the ARCS is the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Armenia.
The activity is/was also supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the Austrian Red Cross, the German Red Cross, the Danish Red Cross, the Monaco Red Cross, the Swiss Red Cross, the Iranian Red Crescent, the United Nations World Food Program, Izmirlian Foundation, GIZ Organization, "Hunter Food" and "Majorel" Organizations.
2021-2022 the summary of the activities of the ARCS in the direction of population movement.
- 22 information meetings were held for asylum seekers and refugees on the rights of displaced persons, procedures for granting refugee status, access to social services, employment, prevention of HIV-AIDS and trafficking, and other topics. A total of 365 asylum seekers and refugees participated in the mentioned meetings.
- 11 trainings were organized for representatives of border guard troops and passports and visas department of RA NSS with the participation of 163 employees. 146 visits were made to border crossing points and airports. Weekly monitoring was carried out at "Special Accommodation" SNPO, where repairs were made and necessary property was provided.
- The ARCS provided 2,634 hours and 880 pages of written translation for asylum seekers and refugees with the help of 16 translators who speak 12 languages.
- 706 individual psychological consultations were carried out for refugees and asylum seekers.
- 12 meetings of working groups for the protection of refugee children and prevention of gender-based violence were held, 120 special cases of child protection were handled. 217 children received material support ensuring access to education.
- 14 meetings of mutual support group of refugee women were organized.
- 318 representatives of the 49 units of the Unified Social Service of the MLSA- social workers, reception staff and heads of regional centers were trained and informed about the rights of refugees during 15 courses.
- 433 families received economic integration support in order to earn income in livestock farming, sewing, car repair, cooking, hairdressing and many other fields.
- 168 asylum seekers and refugees participated in Armenian language courses, and 872 participated in 48 cultural events.
- Protection monitoring was carried out with 6300 families, and 1259 families were included in the case management process.
- 135 visits were made to Kilikia bus station in order to monitor the return of people displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh.
- 460 children from vulnerable families were provided with tablets to ensure access to education.
- 1,500 children received a school bag with stationery and smart watches in order to increase resilience.
- 30 information meetings were organized for children regarding the rights of refugee children.
- 818 children were interviewed individually by the psychologists of the National Academy of Sciences in order to identify problems.
- 70 group psychological meetings were organized for 1000 people displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh.
- Support was provided to 8 community-based organizations, which were involved in responding to the needs of people displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh.
- 5755 children participated in various program activities aimed at increasing children's resilience.
- 450 people participated in the meetings with parents. Community backyard camps were organized for 350 children.
- More than 68 people were employed after receiving professional training.
- 1000 displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh and 1000 local vulnerable families received packages of food and hygiene items.
- About 300 Syrian Armenians, 300 local and 300 displaced vulnerable families benefited from the housing rent programs.
- Within the framework of community development, 38 community development projects were implemented: construction of playgrounds, furnishing of adults' rooms, provision of sports equipment for schools, heating of the House of Culture, provision of musical instruments to the music school, improvement of the stage of the House of Culture, etc.
