Armenian Red Cross Society (ARCS) Advances Socio-Economic Inclusion for Displaced Populations
The Armenian Red Cross Society (ARCS) continues its commitment to addressing the socio-economic challenges faced by displaced populations through a series of roundtable discussions. These meetings are a key component of the RENEW project, titled "Restoring Livelihoods and enhancing Well-being of the population conflict -affected from Nagorno-Karabakh in Armenia." The initiative aims to enhance the socio-economic inclusion and livelihoods of displaced individuals in Armenia.
Since the launch of the RENEW project, the ARCS has organized bilateral meetings with local officials from Kotayk, Armavir, and Ararat regions, gathering valuable insights into the challenges faced by over 40,000 displaced persons. These ongoing discussions have fostered collaboration among displaced communities, local governments, NGOs, and business stakeholders to improve service delivery and implement effective economic integration strategies.
Key topics discussed during the roundtable sessions have included economic challenges, referral mechanisms, and improving information-sharing practices. As a result, these discussions have helped identify critical service gaps and areas for improvement, allowing the ARCS to adapt its approach for quicker and more effective responses.
Furthermore, the discussions led to the development of referral mechanisms and the identification of opportunities to enhance these systems, ensuring regular updates on the activities of stakeholders and maintaining a coordinated, unified approach to the integration of displaced individuals.
The ARCS's efforts have also contributed to raising awareness among the displaced population of their own role and responsibilities in the integration process. The methodologies and strategies adopted by the ARCS have proven effective, being tailored to the specific strengths and needs of the communities and are now being successfully implemented.
In a recent roundtable held in the aforementioned regions, titled "One Year Later: Integration of the Displaced Population into the Local Economy," both progress and challenges were discussed. On the positive side, improvements in psychological stability and living standards were reported. However, significant challenges persist, particularly in the areas of employment and housing.
Looking Ahead
The data collected from these roundtable discussions will play a crucial role in shaping policies that address both the immediate and long-term needs of displaced populations. The ARCS remains dedicated to supporting displaced individuals and ensuring their successful integration into local economies.
For more information about the RENEW program, please contact the Armenian Red Cross Society.
