On February 23 and 24 the delegation of the Armenian Red Cross Society (ARCS) and the Armenian office of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) headed by ARCS Secretary General Anna Yeghiazaryan, visited Vayots Dzor, Syunik regions to meet with governors, community leaders and ARCS regional branch representatives and volunteers to familiarize with the newly emerged problems of the border regions and to discuss further programs. The delegation also included, head of the ICRC sub-delegation that recently opened in Goris, Pierre-Emmanuel Ducruet who will be working in Vayots Dzor region, coordinating the ICRC work in the two regions.
The ICRC has opened a sub-delegation in Tavush region as well.
During the meeting with Vayots Dzor governor Ararat Grigoryan, ARCS Secretary General Anna Yeghiazaryan presented the programs carried out in the region, particularly aimed at home care, disaster risk reduction, mine and explosive awareness, Covid-19 and displaced population as a result of Nagorno Karabakh conflict escalation.
“Such meetings are extremely important and I highly appreciate the atmosphere of cooperation that has been in place as a result of work with the regional administration”, said Mrs. Yeghiazaryan, noting that the activities carried out are based on the needs presented by the region.
She inquired about the vulnerable areas of the region that need more support.
The governor extended thanks to the ARCS and stressed the importance of including the vulnerable groups in the list of beneficiaries working out programs with development and sustainability component for them.
The Armenian Red Cross Society has provided 35,663 pieces of aid to Vayots Dzor region since September 27, including food, clothing, hygiene items, personal necessities, bedding, personal protective items. Last year 398 people affected by Covid-19 received a package of food and hygiene items.
On the same day, a meeting was held with the mayor of Sisian Arthur Sargsyan, who welcomed the Red Cross delegation and thanked them particularly for the support to the community following the escalation of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
“The community has been most supported by the Armenian Red Cross Society and that assistance is continuous, which greatly eases the community's problems,” he said.
Following the escalation of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the community of Sisian received 2,705 pieces of humanitarian aid from the Armenian Red Cross Society, as well as 1,590 protective measures.
At the end of the visit a meeting took place with the governor of Syunik Melikset Poghosyan. ARCS Secretary General Anna Yeghiazaryan presenting the ARCS activities said that the Armenian Red Cross Society has been operating in the region for many years and regular visits are very important to understand the needs on the spot and to plan further programs according to those requirements.
“The year of 2020 was a tough one for our country and as an auxiliary organization to the government in the humanitarian field The Armenian Red Cross Society spared no effort to stand by the most vulnerable. It is very important that our support be targeted and needed for,” she said.
Governor Melikset Poghosyan extended thanks for the work carried out, for close cooperation, and willingness to help.
Following the escalation of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the region of Syunik has received 73 034 pieces of humanitarian aid and 1167 people affected by the Covid-19 received food and hygiene item packages. In the region of Syunik, the ARCS carries out social support and health care, disaster risk reduction, psychological support, and other programs.
ARCS Secretary General Anna Yeghiazaryan and ICRC sub-delegation head Pierre-Emmanuel Ducruet also visited families who as a result of the escalation of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict found shelter in Vayots Dzor and Syunik and who received aid from the Red Cross, to get to know their needs, to interact with and encourage them.
