Almost $300 million allocated in Armenia to support Artsakh refugees over 1.5 years
YEREVAN, April 8. /ARKA/. Since October 2023, more than 115 billion drams (about $294 million) have been allocated under various support programs for displaced persons from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), said Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan.
“85-90% of these funds were provided from the government’s budget, but there are also additional amounts of support from international organizations,” Khachatryan said in an interview with Public Television of Armenia.
When asked about the possibility of organizing an international donor forum to raise funds for the needs of the people of Artsakh, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that at this stage, he does not consider it appropriate to hold such an event.
On the reduction of the 40+10 thousand drams program
Khachatryan addressed the controversial decision to stop the monthly payments of 40+10 thousand drams for rent and utilities, which caused a wave of indignation among the displaced persons from Artsakh.
"This program has become a factor hindering the implementation of the long-term assistance program. In November 2024, a decision was made that starting from April and continuing until the end of 2025, the amount of this support will be reduced. And it will not be provided to people of working age, but only to children, pensioners, disabled people of the 1st and 2nd groups, and families that have lost a breadwinner," the Deputy Prime Minister stated.
He clarified that this program will be available to "those families that are truly vulnerable" until the end of the year.
"Instead of the previous 50 thousand drams, 40 thousand will be issued for 3 months, and then from July to the end of the year, 30 thousand each, so that people during this period would consider using the housing support program for the purpose of building or purchasing their own homes,” Khachatryan added.
About housing certificates
This refers to providing housing certificates for the purchase or construction of housing, which have already been received by 900 families from Artsakh (with a rate of 4 million drams per person). The program is being implemented only outside Yerevan, particularly in the Gegharkunik and Syunik regions.
“The total number of beneficiaries is 3,800 people. Of the 900 families, only 100 have exercised their right to a certificate so far, while the remaining 800 are still searching,” Khachatryan said.
He further mentioned that 22 thousand Artsakh residents are already employed in Armenia, and another 4-4.5 thousand are self-employed, which helps them address their immediate needs.
On the ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijan in Artsakh
On September 19-20, 2023, Azerbaijan launched a large-scale aggression against Artsakh, using artillery, UAVs, and combat aircraft. On September 28, following negotiations with the Azerbaijani side, Artsakh President Samvel Shahramanyan issued a decree to dissolve all state institutions of the republic, and the Republic of Artsakh ceased to exist as of January 1, 2024. The residents of Artsakh were forced to leave their homeland and relocate to Armenia.
According to the RA government, more than 115 thousand Artsakh residents have been registered. To assist them, the Armenian government has launched several programs, with the primary needs platform e-soc.am and the hotline "114" of the Ministry of Social Affairs of Armenia in operation. ($1 = 391.14 drams).
