A Disaster Risk Reduction program is to be launched in Yerevan, as well as in a number of Armenian regions – Shirak, Aragatsotn, Lori, Gegharkunik, Vaiots Dzor.

The Armenian Society of the Red Cross, Oxfam and Save the Children are involved in the program.

The aforementioned organizations’ representatives, as well as officials of Armenia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations and Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, were present at a relevant discussion on Monday.

Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations Haykaram Mkhitaryan noted that Armenia’s government attaches high importance to relevant measures.

This regional program is financed under the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention (DPP), European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO).

A representative of the Save the Children organization stressed the need for Armenia’s schools to be disaster-proof structures.
She stressed the importance of involving children in the program, which will reduce risks. Safety culture must become integral part of children’s life, she said.

The program’s main aspects are: community consolidation and needs of the vulnerable sections of the population; skill development at schools located in disaster-prone zones; high-level preparedness of relevant agencies, cooperation in disaster risk reduction with local and international agencies.