Armenia is a developing country, with low economic growth and high unemployment rate. Poverty in turn affects food security and health status of the country’s population, which makes the socio-economic situation of vulnerable community members critical. 

According to the World Bank, Poverty Rate (US$5.5/day) (2018) in Armenia is 42.5%.

In Armenia 25.7% of the population lives below the national poverty line (2017).  

Armenia has an ageing population, with 16.8% of the whole population living in Armenia being aged 60 and above, according to the National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia (National Statistical Yearbook 2017). Older people and people with disabilities are the most affected by this situation. In addition to the economic vulnerabilities, they often suffer from chronic conditions and/or physical disabilities, live on their own and have problems accessing the few healthcare services available.

As a consequence of widespread poverty, according to the recent survey results, at the same time according to the World Food Program, 15,3% of people living in Armenia are food insecure, 23,5% of people live in poverty.

In addition, the 12-month inflation in Armenia’s consumer market in April 2021 amounted to 6.2%, according to the National Statistical Committee (NSC).

Existing vulnerabilities and inequalities are also significantly magnified due to the Lebanon explosion in August 2020 and emerged war on Artsakh-Azerbaijan borders in September 2020, which resulted in new spontaneous arrivals of Armenians from the affected locations. As a result, the number of needy families in Armenia also increased․

On August 4, 2020, a massive and disastrous explosion occurred in Beirut, Lebanon leaving at least 200 people dead, about 5,000 people wounded, more than 300,000 people homeless, and many more missing. The devastating blast and its consequences have resulted in a humanitarian crisis in Lebanon as warned by UN agencies. Already existing hard socio-economic conditions, worsened by the explosion, led people to displace and seek secure shelter out of the country. Relying on the non-official data about 350 persons affected by the catastrophe arrived in Armenia, the majority of which already applied to Mission Armenia for support. In Armenia, displaced families from Lebanon are struggling to cover and care for their basic needs such as food, hygiene, and clothing.

Heavy clashes reported along the line of contact in the territory of Artsakh, caused civilian casualties and severely damaged many infrastructures in the territory, such as houses, schools, roads and communication networks. As a result, according to the several official data sources more than 80,000 civilians (mostly women and children) have been evacuated from their homes and accommodated in the host communities of Armenia. Though after the ceasefire on 10^th November, 2020 many displaced persons and families went back to Artsakh, they had to be dislocated in different regions of Artsakh, as their houses are destroyed or are on territories currently under the control of Azerbaijan, thus becoming internally displaced.

Conflict affected persons/families in Armenia and Artsakh are, to a large extent, dependent on assistance provided by humanitarian actors and have very limited possibilities to sustain themselves against limited livelihood opportunities.

MA has been providing food support to eligible displaced families, vulnerable older people and people with disabilities in Armenia and vulnerable families in Artsakh to cover their basic needs. This is an ongoing support and is desperately in need of funds. 

MA has identified approximately 500 displaced families from Artsakh and Lebanon, 1950 vulnerable older people and people with disabilities residing in Armenia and 500 vulnerable families residing in Artsakh who are in need of food support. It is envisaged to support each family with food packages equivalent to $34.31 USD for each package. 

Useful Links

1. Poverty In Armenia
2. WFP – Armenia
3. AP News