United Nations in Armenia

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Armenia:

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25 March 2022

IDEA APP Armenia closing ceremony

The IDEA App is a technical solution developed by Bridge for Billions in collaboration with and specifically customized to the needs of UNIDO. It deploys a unique technology to incubate and accelerate business opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and addresses the need to streamline online incubation services throughout all projects applying the IDEA approach. In the framework of “Accelerating women’s empowerment for economic resilience and renewal: Post COVID-19 reboot in Armenia” UN joint project funded by Multi-Partner Trust Fund, UNIDO launched a four-month online program aimed to build the entrepreneurial capacity for startup women. Women entrepreneurs, with the support of mentors from different corners of the world, were able to materialize their business ideas by developing business plans to start a new business or to expand the existing one, thus ensuring self-employment and increasing their income opportunities. In her welcoming remarks, Anahit Simonyan, UNIDO Country Representative, said, “We are very proud that UNIDO has a chance to support Armenian women entrepreneurship by linking local and diaspora capacity, skills and knowledge through its flagship incubation platform. We believe that IDEA programme designed to promote youth and women entrepreneurship and facilitate their integration into the formal economy through a modular and flexible approach will be effectively employed by interested parties. Furthermore, there is a great untapped diaspora potential that can be attracted to develop innovative solutions and new ideas through this platform.” In total, thirty-two women entrepreneurs with the support of thirty-six mentors developed bankable business plans completing eight core modules from value proposition to impact and growth plan. UNIDO and Bridge for Billions representatives made welcoming remarks followed by a certificate awarding ceremony.

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11 March 2022

WFP celebrates International School Meals Day in Armenia

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Armenia celebrated School Meals Day with its partners, the Social and Industrial Foodservice Institute (SIFI) and the School Feeding and Child Welfare Agency. The event at Abovyan school No 8 brought together school children of primary grades and their parents in Abovyan city of Kotayk province. WFP has been implementing school feeding in Armenia since 2012, providing over 100,000 schoolchildren with hot, nutritious meals every day. The event highlighted the activities of WFP’s school feeding programme in Armenia. Children and their parents participated in flash mobs and games designed to acquaint them with the harmful effects of an unhealthy diet and the importance of balanced, nutritious meals. “Today, we celebrate our joint achievements of the School Meals Programme and raise awareness of nutritious school meals and their importance to our children’s health,” said the Headmaster of Abovyan school No 8 Lusine Baghdasaryan. “School meals have had a transformational role in children’s wellbeing and have already helped in improving their dietary habits. I would like to thank all supporters, including WFP, the Government, parents and our community who united their efforts and invested in our children's development.” “School meals are critical for children’s wellbeing and improving learning abilities to reach their full potential; eventually enhancing their productivity as adults contributing to their country’s economic development,” said WFP Deputy Country Director and Officer-in-Charge Nanna Skau. “Thanks to the successful partnership with the Government of Armenia, School Meals has become a flagship programme ultimately contributing to food security of children across the country.” Also, as part of celebrating International School Meals Day in Armenia, WFP and partners will invite all parents with their primary grades school children to participate in an online quest that will be followed by an award ceremony for the winners. Abovyan No 8 school is among other 89 schools in Kotayk province that is part of WFP’s School Feeding Programme, which is expected to join the National School Feeding programme in December 2022. The management of the School Feeding Programme has been already gradually handed over to the government in eight provinces of Armenia making the programme more sustainable for the years to come. As a result of a successful nationalization, the Government of Armenia has recently signed the declaration of commitment and joined the global School Meals Coalition.

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21 February 2022

Launch of IOM’s and UNHCR’s EU co-funded project to strengthen migration management capacities in Armenia

The official launching event of the project “Strengthening Migration Management Capacities in Support of Government Reform Agenda in Line with CEPA”, implemented jointly by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in cooperation with the Migration Service (MS) of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia, was held on 16 February 2022 in Yerevan, Armenia. The two-year project is co-funded by the European Union (EU) and aims to enhance migration governance in Armenia to foster well-managed and secure cross-border mobility and – in line with the Government's Programme for 2021-2026 – to continue strengthening of migration and asylum systems in Armenia. The project thereby aims to strengthen migration and asylum systems of the Republic of Armenia by supporting the Government’s efforts towards inclusive, accountable, and effective service delivery. The strengthening of the Government’s capacity-building can be achieved through promoting comprehensive co-operation with the EU on migration and asylum matters and by enhancing the use of EU expertise, resources, and good practices in Armenia. The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Justice Arpine Sargsyan, Deputy Head of the Police Ara Fidanyan, Head of the Migration Service of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Armen Ghazaryan, Deputy Head of Operations of the EU Delegation to Armenia Silja Kasmann, Human Rights Defender elect Kristine Grigoryan, Head of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) Carel Hofstra, Head of the IOM Office Ilona Ter-Minasyan, and UNHCR Officer-in-Charge and Senior Operations Officer Almazbek Burkutov, as well as representatives of state authorities and civil society organizations. During his opening remarks, the Head of the Migration Service of Armenia, Armen Ghazaryan, stressed the importance of the project, stating։ “Currently we have a decentralized migration management system. A functional centralization will increase the efficiency of the institutional migration system. The project is also important in the context of staff training and digitalization.” In her turn, the Deputy Head of Operations of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Silja Kasmann, signified the EU support to the improvement of the migration and asylum systems in Armenia. Highlighting the importance of achieving effective service delivery in the asylum field, UNHCR Representative Anna-Carin Öst stated that “UNHCR will continue to support the efforts of the Government of Armenia in strengthening Armenia’s national policy and legal framework further in line with international standards and ensuring that persons of concern to UNHCR have effective access to fair, efficient and quality asylum procedures.” The event programme was followed by an active discussion between the attendees. In her closing remarks the Head of Office of IOM Armenia, Ilona Ter-Minasyan, expressed her gratitude to the EU Delegation, Migration Service, UNHCR, and all the parties involved in the development of the project. She concluded wishing that “the participation of all the stakeholders will contribute to a successful project implementation to ensure more effective and accountable service delivery based on the principles of good governance and respect of rule of law”.

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16 February 2022

Through livestock and poultry feed FAO continues support for Armenian families with funding from the EU

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with funding from the European Union, continues to deliver humanitarian aid to vulnerable groups in rural Armenia affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This time, 67 households in the villages of Gyulagarak, Vardablur and Pushkino in the Lori region have been provided high-quality fodder and feed for the care of their livestock and poultry. This help comes as part of FAO’s effort to help vulnerable groups in Armenia mitigate the shocks caused by the ongoing pandemic. These families were previously given livestock and poultry as part of FAO’s Cash+ pilot programme. Today, Armenia’s Deputy Minister of Economy Arman Khojoyan, Assistant FAO Representative in Armenia Gayane Nasoyan, Deputy Governor of Lori region Gor Asryan, Acting Head of Gyulagarak enlarged community Khachik Vardanyan and others joined the assistance distribution in Gyulagarak. “From the point of view of FAO, the issues of poverty and food insecurity are closely related, and we are committed to supporting Armenia in overcoming both. Food security means not only having access to food, but also ensuring a healthy diet for all and leaving no one behind, particularly in the Lori and Tavush regions,” said Gayane Nasoyan, Assistant FAO Representative in Armenia. The households and farmers at the event showed great appreciation for the feed, which they said is of vital importance for their families, given the challenges caused by COVID-19. LEAD programme This initiative is part of the Local Empowerment of Actors for Development (LEAD) Programme supported by the European Union and implemented by FAO and the United Nations Development Programme. The programme helps those living in the Lori and Tavush regions of Armenia play active roles in inclusive, resilient and sustainable local development. It is implemented in close partnership with Armenia’s Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure and Ministry of Economy. Among other projects, the four-year LEAD Programme is focusing on adapting and implementing the European Union LEADER methodology in the Lori and Tavush regions of Armenia. This tried and tested approach identifies and supports community-driven local and rural development initiatives carried out through partnerships uniting local authorities, civil society and the private sector (see below). In helping Armenian communities recover from the ravages of COVID-19, the programme aims to create 200 new employment opportunities, with direct support for 160 businesses and 300 individuals. In all, 3 000 local residents stand to benefit from pandemic recovery measures in Armenia. LEADER methodology The LEAD programme is implemented as part of the European Union’s LEADER / Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) concept with the following objectives: to mobilize, enable and encourage local actors to define community needs-driven strategies in Lori and Tavush regions, to build support infrastructure to prioritize, implement and sustain local-grown initiatives in Lori and Tavush regions, and to improve the capacity of the relevant ministries and other bodies and develop policy mechanisms at the national level for successful piloting and sustainability of the LEADER approach in Armenia.

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02 February 2022

Training helps prevention, control, and eradication of a contagious small ruminant disease

At a three-day FAO workshop starting today, nine countries around the Black Sea basin learn risk-based approaches to prevent, control, and eradicate Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), a highly contagious animal disease affecting sheep and goats. The virtual event incorporates information on the disease, its epidemiology, risk factors and management, risk analysis and mapping, the importance of national animal identification and tracing systems, as well as the process for obtaining official PPR-free status from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Representatives of the nine participating countries will also rank risk factors for a possible PPR occurrence and familiarize themselves with the staged approach of the PPR Global Control and Eradication Strategy. “Peste des Petits Ruminants affects livelihoods, food and nutritional security by hampering social and economic stability in rural areas,” said Daniel Beltran-Alcrudo, FAO technical advisor on animal health. “The disease is currently present in Central Asia and Turkey, while other countries should take preventive measures and prepare for a potential incursion. This workshop is a step towards that.” Participants include national PPR coordinators, epidemiologists, livestock development officers, and laboratory coordinators from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Turkey, and Ukraine. These countries are also part of an FAO research project implemented in collaboration with the Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain, that aims to identify risk factors and areas in the Black Sea basin at a higher risk of a spread of five ruminant diseases, including PPR, and, thus, support better and more resource-efficient decision-making on disease mitigation activities. “The workshop was designed specifically to meet training needs identified by countries, fill gaps in risk analysis and mapping, and help countries progress towards becoming officially recognized as free of Peste des Petits Ruminants,” added Camilla Benfield, from the Joint FAO–OIE PPR Secretariat. The curricula of the workshop was also developed to support the realization of the PPR Global Control and Eradication Strategy, which foresees the eradication of the disease by 2030, as well as strengthening veterinary services and reducing the impact of other major infectious diseases of small ruminants. As part of that, the stepwise process was presented at the event to decrease epidemiological risk levels and increase prevention and control through four stages: the assessment, control, eradication, and maintenance of PPR-free status. Peste des Petits Ruminants, often called sheep and goat plague, threatens about 80 percent of the global small ruminant population. Once introduced, the virus can infect up to 90 percent of a herd and kill anywhere from 30–70 percent of infected animals. The PPR virus does not infect humans.

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10 May 2022

Feed for livestock and poultry ensures food for children and families

Life in the rural areas of Armenia has perks but has never been easy. Around one-third of villagers live below the poverty line. This situation has been further exacerbated by COVID-19, which has imposed greater financial challenges by restricting the opportunities for trade and seasonal work abroad. At the same time, the significant price increase among everyday goods has made life even more challenging for rural families in Armenia to make ends meet. The issue is not only the price of food for human consumption. The soaring prices of animal feedstuff has made it hardly possible to keep their livestock and poultry – important sources of meat, dairy products, and eggs for many families. “There was no way I would be able to provide enough feed to my chickens this winter, should there not be the feed support from FAO,” said Karen Vardanyan, farmer and father of two. Without such support, he would have to decrease his number of hens. “Thanks to the 450 kilograms of combined feed received, I could keep the poultry, and both the quantity and the quality of eggs have significantly increased, helping us to continue to take care of our family,” Karen added happily. Furthermore, through the income that Karen expects to get from selling eggs, he is planning to improve the hencoop to further increase the number of the hens they keep. Karen is among the 67 vulnerable families from Lori, northern Armenia, who benefited from the FAO initiative under the European Union’s LEAD programme. They received high-quality fodder and combined feed for livestock and poultry. Earlier, these families were provided with pregnant heifers or chicken as part of a Russian-funded project, yet the fodder distribution was of vital importance now to recover from the challenges posed by the pandemic. Poultry feed support ensures nutritious food and revenue Karen’s children, Vache and Nane, love running to the coop several times a day and bringing fresh eggs from the hens. Eggs not only ensures nutritious food for these children and their family, but is also a source of additional income. Years ago, FAO provided hens and poultry feed to the Vardanyan family and since then they have worked hard to increase the number of the hens so that they can continue benefitting from the eggs and chicken meat. “Scrambled eggs and poultry meat are my children’s favourite dishes,” Karen added. “Not only we get nutritious food, but also sell them to buy things necessary for our family. We even managed to exchange eggs with young fruit trees that will provide us with apples, pears, and cherries this year.” Caring is contagious “FAO’s support arrived just in time for us,” Mkhitar Gevorgyan said. “Providing quality feed to our cow will boost milk production benefiting not only my family, but also the baby calf.” Just like many other families in Pushkino village, this family too has no regular source of income and relies on the scarce financial means that they get from keeping livestock. Mkhitar – a father of six – engages in paid haying works in summers only, and for the rest of the year he struggles to get along. Last winter, as the prices of feed for livestock headed north, the situation became impossible for Mkhitar to buy fodder. Luckily, FAO’s support arrived then, consisting of 2 400 kg fodder and 720 kg combined feed that allowed the family to keep their cows alive. Mkhitar’s four-year-old son Vardan and his older siblings were very excited about the birth of Sheko (meaning “blond” in Armenian) – a cute calf delivered by the cow that FAO previously provided to their family. They cherish the baby calf and take care of him, believing that she will help them take care of the family needs as she grows up. Mkhitar’s family makes yogurt and cheese from cow milk that they mainly use to improve the nutrition of their children. Now he is planning to increase the number of the cows to increase the family income. “I hope at some point I will be well off and will be able to help others in need, just like FAO helped me,” Mkhitar added. The feed support initiative in a nutshell The feed distribution initiative is part of the Local Empowerment of Actors for Development (LEAD) Programme supported by the European Union and implemented by FAO and the United Nations Development Programme, in close partnership with Armenia’s Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure and Ministry of Economy. The programme helps those living in the Lori and Tavush regions of Armenia play active roles in inclusive, resilient, and sustainable local development. This four-year programme focuses on adapting and implementing the European Union’s LEADER methodology in the Lori and Tavush regions of Armenia and supports community-driven local and rural development initiatives carried out through partnerships uniting local authorities, civil society, and the private sector. The 67 families that received livestock and poultry feed support previously benefitted from FAO’s Cash+ pilot initiative as part of “Developing Capacity for Strengthening Food Security and Nutrition in Selected Countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia” project funded by the Russian Federation. The project aimed to pilot innovative approaches that complemented the state-funded social protection programme․

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04 May 2022

European Immunization Week 2022 in Armenia: WHO Regional Director for Europe and Minister of Health visit vaccination sites and thank all health workers with special WHO Award

In celebration of European Immunization Week (EIW) this week, Armenia Minister of Health, Anahit Avanesyan and WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, were joined by the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Armenia, Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin and UNICEF Representative Christine Weigand, on a visit to a vaccination site at the polyclinic of Surb Grigor Lusavorich Medical Center, as part of Dr Kluge’s official two-day visit to Armenia. This year, the EIW highlights the historic achievements of vaccination, including progress towards the global eradication of polio and the regional elimination of measles and rubella. It also draws attention to the potential of vaccines to achieve even more, such as control hepatitis B and eliminate cervical cancer. The hundreds of thousands of lives saved through COVID-19 vaccination in the WHO European Region alone are a recent noteworthy achievement. Vaccination remains one of the foundations of healthier and longer lives and functioning public health systems. Dr Kluge learned more about the National Immunization Programme’s successes and spoke with health care workers and parents of some of Armenia’s youngest citizens, who came for their scheduled routine vaccination. The Regional Director acknowledged the ongoing efforts of the Government of Armenia to invest in routine immunization and reiterated the importance of continued commitment. While talking to the elderly people being vaccinated against COVID-19 he commented, “Vaccines are safe and effective. Being vaccinated is extremely important, as it ensures that you protect yourselves, others, and have your personal stake in helping your country reach a crucial strategic goal to increase COVID-19 vaccination coverage overall”. Recognizing the continued dedication and commitment of Health and Care Workers to improve the health and well-being of people in Armenia and across the WHO European Region, Dr Kluge officially handed over the International Year of Health and Care Workers Award 2021 to the Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan and through her to all health workers in Armenia. The Regional Director highlighted that the award is a token of appreciation and gratitude for the unwavering dedication of health and care workers, including in response to the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years. He emphasized the urgent need to invest more in health workers for shared dividends in health, jobs, economic development, and equity. Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan highlighted that the Ministry had been actively implementing activities aimed at the continuous professional development of health care workers and improvement of the quality of medical services during the recent years, as well as mentioned about the programs being implemented to equip medical centers and build new ones. Referring to the response to the pandemic, the Minister noted, "The last two difficult years have shown that it is possible to jointly record victories. Our step-by-step success in the response to the pandemic is only due to your dedication and compassionate work, dear doctors. I can proudly state that thanks to our professional approach and coordinated work, we have been able to respond to this serious challenge. Although COVID-19 has not yet been fully overcome, the vaccination process is still ongoing and development of herd immunity inspires hope that the epidemic can be curbed”.

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04 May 2022

WHO Regional Director for Europe and Minister of Health of Armenia sign two-year agreement to advance health for all, and promote vaccination and healthy lifestyles

Quality health care accessible to everyone, effective protection against health emergencies, healthy communities as contributors to an economy of well-being are core elements of the Biennial Collaborative Agreement (BCA) signed today by Anahit Avanesyan, Minister of Health of the Republic of Armenia and Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe during his two-day visit to the country. The BCA is a vital tool setting out collaboration priorities between WHO and the Government of Armenia for 2022-2023 that aim to support the Ministry of Health in achieving national health priorities, working closely with civil society, development partners and other key stakeholders. The BCA prioritizes access to quality care for each and every citizen in Armenia regardless of their financial means, effective protection against health emergencies and building healthy communities, with public health policies and actions serving to secure a better life and well-being for the people of Armenia. “The cooperation between the Ministry of Health and the WHO is crucial in many ways for being able to achieve the cornerstone health indicators our government is aiming for. I am happy to state that the Government Strategy for the years 2021-2026 includes the key areas of healthcare indicators that have to be achieved, which are also portrayed in the global agenda. With the last wave of COVID-19 pandemic slowly retreating into the background, we are thankfully able to again direct our efforts and resources to global health threats that still persist. Within the framework of the Biennial Collaborative Agreement for the years 2022-2023, we are aiming to devote large attention to areas that are of utmost importance to us such as Universal Health Coverage, health system strengthening, protection against health emergencies, promotion of healthy lifestyle and many more,” said Anahit Avanesyan, RA Minister of Health. The BCA builds on the key achievements recorded within the long-lasting partnership between WHO and the Government of Armenia in tobacco control, emergency preparedness, response to the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health - to name a few. It is in line with the international public health strategic goals and frameworks such as the WHO European Programme of Work and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals. “This agreement signed today puts health higher on Armenia’s agenda, underlining its place as a universal human right and key development priority for a better economy, and for peace and security,” said Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. “WHO has enjoyed a long and productive partnership with the Government of Armenia, and we will continue to work side-by-side to advance the national health agenda: strengthening the health system, moving towards universal health coverage, protecting people from health emergencies, and promoting health and wellbeing,” he added. Visiting the country during European Immunization Week (EIW), the Regional Director also highlighted the live-saving importance of vaccines and vaccination as a building block for a functioning public health systems. Dr Kluge underlined the importance of immunization as a public health measure and the many millions of lives it has saved and called for continued joint efforts to increase COVID-19 vaccination to protect people, health systems, and health workers.

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20 April 2022

IOM promotes new work permit issuance system for foreigners in Armenia

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in cooperation with the Migration Service of Armenia (MS) launched a new unified online platform, which is addressed to digitalize the whole process of granting work permit and residence status to foreigners in Armenia. The official launching event was held on 19 April 2022 in Yerevan. IOM Armenia has been supporting the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Migration Service of Armenia in strengthening the labour migration system since 2018. As part of this partnership, a new work permit issuance system has been developed and implemented within the framework of the labour migration management reforms. The new platform is an integrated electronic management registration system, serving as a tool for issuance and extension of work permits and employment contracts with foreign workers in the Republic of Armenia. At the same time, foreign citizens who are exempted from the requirement to obtain a work permit in the Republic of Armenia, can register on the platform in order to verify the legality of their residence and receive a relevant certificate. “IOM’s objective is to support Armenia’s Labor Migration System by effective mechanisms for the issuance of work permits in line with best international practices. In this way, we aim to contribute to advancing human rights of migrants and sustainable economic development, for the benefit of all,” said Ilona Ter-Minasyan, IOM Armenia’s Head of Office. The Migration Service has already received about 700 applications through the website https://workpermit.am/. About 250 employers are registered in the system and more than 260 temporary residence permits have been already granted. 170 permits certifying legality of residence for the foreigners exempted from the requirement to obtain a work permit have been issued. The event was followed by a Q&A panel with employers asking questions and presenting suggestions. For more information visit the website at www.workpermit.am.

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05 April 2022

In Armenia, FAO and its partners boost forestry efforts and climate action

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) held a workshop on the project entitled ‘Forest resilience of Armenia, enhancing adaptation and rural green growth via mitigation’ to sensitize the project actors of the effective start of the project and to discuss details related to taking the project forward. With a USD 10 million grant from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and USD 8.7 million in co-financing, the project stands to deliver long-term social, economic and environmental benefits, leveraging resources and expertise from multiple actors, including the Government of Armenia, the Austrian Development Agency, the Autonomous Province of Bolzano - Italy, the World Wildlife Fund Armenia, and FAO. The project goals will be realised by FAO jointly with the Environmental Project Implementation Unit under Armenia’s Ministry of Environment. A wide array of state and non-state actors playing an active role in the country’s forest management and climate change initiatives gathered at the workshop, including representatives of the Ministries of Environment, Economy, Finance, and Territorial Administration and Infrastructure; the project funding agencies and implementing partners; civil society; academia; and the private sector, among others. “Involving multiple actors is a key focus of the project. We are delighted that a diverse group of experts from relevant ministries, non-governmental organizations, research institutes, and international organizations were involved in various stages of this project – starting from the project design - to maximize the ownership at the national level,” said Raimund Jehle, FAO Representative in Armenia. Armenia is highly vulnerable to climate change. The World Bank reports a clear increase in the annual number of extreme weather events (such as hurricanes, snow storms, and heat waves) data in recent decades. Current climate trends and projections for the country indicate future elevated average temperatures, precipitation and river-flow decreases, and snow cover reduction. At the same time, the population depends heavily on fuelwood, which puts forests that are sensitive to climate change under further stress. This eight-year forestry project aims to increase forest cover in Armenia by 2.5 percent, and to reduce the fuelwood demand of rural communities by at least 30 percent. The project also works to increase the role of communities governing and managing natural resources, and to improve fuelwood management as well as the production of wood and non-wood forest products and services. Two regions – Lori in the north, and Syunik in the south – are targeted. They were selected based on forest types, population density, local poverty levels, and exposure to climate change, in addition to the potential impact on important forest ecosystems. The project represents a relatively new approach to sustainable forest management in Armenia, with the potential to act as a model for the entire country and to produce a paradigm shift towards low-emission development. LINKS About the project Forest resilience of Armenia, enhancing adaptation and rural green growth via mitigation FAO and the Green Climate Fund FAO in Armenia Forestry Regional Initiative for Managing natural resources sustainably and preserving biodiversity

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Press Release

20 May 2022

Almost one billion children and adults with disabilities and older persons in need of assistive technology denied access, according to new report

GENEVA/NEW YORK, 20 May 2022 - A new report published today by WHO and UNICEF reveals that more than 2.5 billion people need one or more assistive products, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, or apps that support communication and cognition. Yet nearly one billion of them are denied access, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where access can be as low as 3% of the need for these life-changing products. The Global Report on Assistive Technology presents evidence for the first time on the global need for and access to assistive products and provides a series of recommendations to expand availability and access, raise awareness of the need, and implement inclusion policies to improve the lives of millions of people. “Assistive technology is a life changer – it opens the door to education for children with impairments, employment and social interaction for adults living with disabilities, and an independent life of dignity for older persons,” said WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Denying people access to these life-changing tools is not only an infringement of human rights, it’s economically shortsighted. We call on all countries to fund and prioritize access to assistive technology and give everyone a chance to live up to their potential.” “Nearly 240 million children have disabilities. Denying children the right to the products they need to thrive doesn’t only harm individual children, it deprives families and their communities of everything they could contribute if their needs were met,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Without access to assistive technology, children with disabilities will continue to miss out on their education, continue to be at a greater risk of child labor and continue to be subjected to stigma and discrimination, undermining their confidence and wellbeing.” The report notes that the number of people in need of one or more assistive products is likely to rise to 3.5 billion by 2050, due to populations ageing and the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases rising across the world. The report also highlights the vast gap in access between low- and high-income countries. An analysis of 35 countries reveals that access varies from 3% in poorer nations to 90% in wealthy countries. Affordability is a major barrier to access, the report notes. Around two thirds of people with assistive products reported out-of-pocket payments for them. Others reported relying on family and friends to financially support their needs. A survey of 70 countries featured in the report found large gaps in service provision and trained workforce for assistive technology, especially in the domains of cognition, communication and self-care. Previous surveys published by WHO note a lack of awareness and unaffordable prices, lack of services, inadequate product quality, range and quantity, and procurement and supply chain challenges as key barriers. Assistive products are generally considered a means to participate in community life and in wider society on an equal footing with others; without them, people suffer exclusion, are at risk of isolation, live in poverty, may face hunger, and be forced to depend more on family, community and government support. The positive impact of assistive products goes beyond improving the health, well-being, participation and inclusion of individual users – families and societies also benefit. For example, enlarging access to quality-assured, safe and affordable assistive products leads to reduced health and welfare costs, such as recurrent hospital admissions or state benefits, and promotes a more productive labor force, indirectly stimulating economic growth. Access to assistive technology for children with disabilities is often the first step for childhood development, access to education, participation in sports and civic life, and getting ready for employment like their peers. Children with disabilities have additional challenges due to their growth, which requires frequent adjustments or replacements of their assistive products. The report makes recommendations for concrete action to improve access, including: Improve access within education, health and social care systems Ensure availability, safety, effectiveness and affordability of assistive products Enlarge, diversify and improve workforce capacity Actively involve users of assistive technology and their families Increase public awareness and combat stigma Invest in data and evidence-based policy Invest in research, innovation, and an enabling ecosystem Develop and invest in enabling environments Include assistive technology in humanitarian responses Provide technical and economic assistance through international cooperation to support national efforts. To improve access to assistive technologies in Armenia, UNICEF, in partnership with UNDP, works to: Develop the policy framework on assistive technologies, including funding mechanisms, a national list and technical specifications for professional service provision. Facilitate collaboration between social, education and health systems for unified and coordinated provision of assistive technologies. Integrate assistive technologies into disability assessment. Support education service providers on the usage and benefits of assistive technologies in learning.

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Press Release

29 April 2022

UNICEF and WHO warn of ‘perfect storm’ of conditions for measles outbreaks, affecting children

NEW YORK/ GENEVA, 29 April 2022 – An increase in measles cases in January and February 2022 is a worrying sign of a heightened risk for the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases and could trigger larger outbreaks, particularly of measles affecting millions of children in 2022, warn WHO and UNICEF. Pandemic-related disruptions, increasing inequalities in access to vaccines, and the diversion of resources from routine immunization are leaving too many children without protection against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases. The risk for large outbreaks has increased as communities relax social distancing practices and other preventive measures for COVID-19 implemented during the height of the pandemic. In addition, with millions of people being displaced due to conflicts and crises including in Ukraine, Ethiopia, Somalia and Afghanistan, disruptions in routine immunization and COVID-19 vaccination services, lack of clean water and sanitation, and overcrowding increase the risk of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks. Almost 17,338 measles cases were reported worldwide in January and February 2022, compared to 9,665 during the first two months of 2021. As measles is very contagious, cases tend to show up quickly when vaccination levels decline. The agencies are concerned that outbreaks of measles could also forewarn outbreaks of other diseases that do not spread as rapidly. Apart from its direct effect on the body, which can be lethal, the measles virus also weakens the immune system and makes a child more vulnerable to other infectious diseases like pneumonia and diarrhea, including for months after the measles infection itself among those who survive. Most cases occur in settings that have faced social and economic hardships due to COVID-19, conflict, or other crises, and have chronically weak health system infrastructure and insecurity. “Measles is more than a dangerous and potentially deadly disease. It is also an early indication that there are gaps in our global immunization coverage, gaps vulnerable children cannot afford,” said Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director. “It is encouraging that people in many communities are beginning to feel protected enough from COVID-19 to return to more social activities. But doing so in places where children are not receiving routine vaccination creates the perfect storm for the spread of a disease like measles.” In 2020, 23 million children missed out on basic childhood vaccines through routine health services, the highest number since 2009 and 3.7 million more than in 2019. As of April 2022, the agencies report 21 large and disruptive measles outbreaks around the world in the last 12 months. Most of the measles cases were reported in Africa and the East Mediterranean region. The figures are likely higher as the pandemic has disrupted surveillance systems globally, with potential underreporting. Countries with the largest measles outbreaks since the past year include Somalia, Yemen, Nigeria, Afghanistan, and Ethiopia. Insufficient measles vaccine coverage is the major reason for outbreaks, wherever they occur. “The COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted immunization services, health systems have been overwhelmed, and we are now seeing a resurgence of deadly diseases including measles. For many other diseases, the impact of these disruptions to immunization services will be felt for decades to come,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization. “Now is the moment to get essential immunization back on track and launch catch-up campaigns so that everybody can have access to these life-saving vaccines.” Coverage at or above 95 per cent with two doses of the safe and effective measles vaccine can protect children against measles. However, COVID-19 pandemic-related disruptions have delayed the introduction of the second dose of the measles vaccine in many countries. As countries work to respond to outbreaks of measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases, and recover lost ground, UNICEF and WHO, along with partners such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the partners of the Measles & Rubella Initiative (M&RI), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and others are supporting efforts to strengthen immunization systems by: Restoring services and vaccination campaigns so countries can safely deliver routine immunization programmes to fill the gaps left by the backsliding; Helping health workers and community leaders communicate actively with caregivers to explain the importance of vaccinations; Rectifying gaps in immunization coverage, including identifying communities and people who have been missed during the pandemic; Ensuring that COVID-19 vaccine delivery is independently financed and well-integrated into overall planning for immunization services so that it is not carried out at the cost of childhood and other vaccination services; Implementing country plans to prevent and respond to outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases and strengthening immunization systems as part of COVID-19 recovery efforts.

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Press Release

29 April 2022

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Liam Neeson headlines week-long commemoration of global vaccination efforts and calls for greater investment

NEW YORK, 27 April 2022 – UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Liam Neeson is leading UNICEF’s global immunization initiative with a global message thanking the scientists, parents, health workers and others who have been so critical in helping to immunize children over the last two decades. In a video released ahead of World Immunization Week, Neeson talks about how the efforts of scientists such as Jonas Salk, who developed the first vaccine against polio, and dedicated workers who fill vials at factories or deliver vaccine injections, have made it possible to save two to three million child lives each year. “Vaccines are a remarkable human success story. Over last the 75 years, billions of children have been vaccinated, thanks to scientists, to health workers, to volunteers. If you’ve ever been vaccinated, or vaccinated your children, then you are part of the arm-to-arm chain that keeps all humanity safe,” said Liam Neeson, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. “We live our lives free of worry about catching smallpox. Once a terrifying diagnosis, polio is no longer a threat in most of the world. The conversation about vaccines in recent years has lost sight of how much good they have done for each of us. We need to celebrate this. It is perhaps one of the biggest collective achievements in human history.” Every like, share, or comment on posts mentioning a UNICEF social media account and using the hashtag #longlifeforall from now until May 10 will unlock US $1 to UNICEF, from the United Nations Foundation’s Shot@Life campaign and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – up to a total of US$10 million – to help ensure all children get the life-saving vaccines they need. Despite the successes, an alarming 23 million children missed out on vaccinations in 2020. This number can only be reduced through greater commitment to and investment in immunization services. UNICEF is the world’s leading provider of vaccines to children in over 100 countries. With Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and partners UNICEF supplies vaccines to reach 45 per cent of the world’s children under five. UNICEF also works with Governments in over 130 countries to strengthen national health and immunization programmes. “The last two years have taught us that a health care system that leaves some children exposed, is a health care system that leaves all children exposed,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “The best way for the world to recover from this pandemic – and to prepare for future health emergencies -- is to invest in stronger health systems, and immunization and essential health services for every child.” World Immunization Week – celebrated every year in the last week of April – is spearheaded by the World Health Organization and brings together global partners to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease. The theme for this year is #LongLifeForAll, with ‘long life’ reflecting the importance of lifespan vaccinations. “We are in a race against time to restore the immunization services disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and accelerate progress against all vaccine-preventable diseases,” said Gargee Ghosh, President of Global Policy and Advocacy at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “That is why we are thrilled to work with UNICEF and other partners around the world to ensure children – especially those in the world’s poorest countries – have access to the vaccines they need to live a long, healthy life.” “UNICEF ensures that nearly half of the world’s children under five are ‘protected by love’ with lifesaving vaccines,” said Martha Rebour, Executive Director of Shot@Life, United Nations Foundation. “We are honored to support and promote their work during World Immunization Week and hope that others will join us in our advocacy for these critical global vaccine programs.”

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Press Release

05 May 2022

New study shows: Adolescents and adults in Armenia are ready to take action to tackle climate change, but more knowledge is needed

YEREVAN, 22 April 2022 – Marking the Earth Day, UNICEF and the Austrian Development Agency, together with the Ministries of Environment and of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, released the findings of a first-time study of knowledge, attitudes, perception and behavior on climate change and adolescent participation in Armenia’s 52 consolidated communities. Targeting both adolescents and adults, the study measures the baseline situation with regard to understanding of what climate change is and how it impacts their communities, attitudes towards climate change and environmental issues, willingness to take action to address climate change and engage in environmental activism. “The study clearly indicates how central education is in addressing climate change and environmental issues. Proper climate education can encourage children, adolescents and young people to change their attitudes and behavior and motivate them to take action,” said Christine Weigand, UNICEF Representative in Armenia. “This study adds to the growing evidence that Governments need to invest in climate education and embed climate change learning in the curriculum, combining with opportunities for children to engage in environmental activities and projects.” The study employed computer-assisted web interviews reaching out to 1,517 school students in 6-12th grades at 483 schools, including 45 students with special education needs, as well as computer-assisted personal interviews to reach out to 710 adults across 52 consolidated communities. Data collection amongst adolescents was ensured in collaboration with the National Center for Education Technologies. “This study has generated a wealth of insights that should now be used to inform national and local policymaking on environment and on education, as well as form the basis to design awareness raising and behavior change communication to amplify climate action,” noted Nora Alanakyan, Deputy Head of Office of the Austrian Development Agency in Armenia. “Everyone has a role to play in addressing the impact of climate change, and we hope that the findings of this study will lay the foundation for informed decision-making in this regard so that every day becomes an Earth Day.” Main findings from the 52 consolidated communities include: More adolescents (96,2%) have heard about climate change than adults (79,8%). Among them, the vast majority reported that they understand what climate change means, although the study uncovered gaps in knowledge, clearly showing the need to invest in climate education. Adolescents have heard about the Earth’s changing climate and weather patterns at school (68,4%), on the TV (43,7%) or on the Internet (35,5%), while adults have learned about it on TV (81,9%), on the Internet (44,8%), or on social media (34,7%). Around 67.9% of adolescents and 66.0% of adults are very concerned about climate change in their community, while 58.4% of adolescents and 70.3% of adults are very concerned about climate change in Armenia. 90% of adolescents are willing to learn more about climate change and their most preferred source are schoolteachers and the school administration. Only nearly half of the adolescents have ever heard from their teachers about what can be done to reduce climate change and what can be done to protect themselves and their families from the effects of climate change. Adolescents with special educational needs are not only the group with the smallest share of those who have heard about climate change, but also the group with the smallest number of sources of information about the issue. Adolescents and young people are powerful agents of change and can make a strong contribution in proposing solutions to climate change and in promoting environmentally sustainable lifestyles and setting an example for their communities. Close to 76% of adolescents and 77% of adults are ready to take action to prevent or lessen the impact of climate change in their communities, including compromising some of their habits. 85.0% of adolescents and 90.2% of adults are also willing to raise awareness among their families and friends that they do not need to burn fields, rubber wheels or plastic items. Additionally, 83.4% of adolescents and 93.0% of adults are willing to raise awareness among their families on the need to save water; while 83.0% of adolescents and 82.3% of adults are willing to volunteer for tree planting and other climate-friendly activities. UNICEF, with the support of ADA, will continue to support the Ministries of Environment, Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, as well as of Education, Science, Culture and Sports to integrate climate change education in the national curriculum, develop training modules for teachers and support their capacity building, create venues and opportunities for adolescents to be heard and take part in the implementation of community projects.

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Press Release

08 April 2022

WHO, Ministry of Health and Partners in Armenia launch “Vaccination is Care – Reaching out to People 65+” Campaign

“Vaccination is Care” Campaign aiming to reach people over 65 residing in Marzes of Armenia was officially launched today, April 8. The event took place at Abovyan medical center in Kotayk Marz, which is the first site to be covered by the Campaign. The campaign is designed and implemented within the European Union/WHO action to support the deployment of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination in Eastern Partnership countries, 2021-2024. The ultimate goal of the “Vaccination is Care” Campaign is to feature the importance of the COVID- vaccination of people over 65 and make it available for them in polyclinics, outpatient clinics, and community centers nearer to their residence through mobile vaccination groups. The COVID-19 vaccination is of vital importance as the pandemic continues to have a major impact. Unvaccinated populations, especially vulnerable groups like older people, remain at much greater risk of hospitalization, severe illness, and death. The campaign launched on 8 April offers in addition to COVID-19 vaccination other essential health services including screening for Noncommunicable diseases such as anemia and diabetes. “We have not yet hit our vaccination target for people over the age of 65 and so we believe that this campaign will help move us toward our goal of vaccinating the majority of our most vulnerable citizens. With the collaboration of the EU, WHO, MOH, NCDC, and ARCS, I believe that we will be able to make a bigger impact and be able to make vaccines even more accessible to those in our regions as well as provide other essential services to screen for non-communicable diseases.”, said Deputy Minister Lena Nanushyan. “This comprehensive Health campaign has special significance; by raising awareness and providing prevention means against severe disease through COVID-19 vaccination and other essential services, it allows better access to care to those most in need, older people, and those with limited mobility. It also brings national stakeholders, international partners, and the community together to demonstrate the strength of joining forces for the benefit of the people in Armenia. I reassure that WHO and its partners stand ready to continue their support to have an effective response to the global emergency and resilient recovery”, said Dr. Jihane Tawilah, WHO Representative in Armenia. The Vaccination Campaign is implemented jointly with the Ministry of Health and national partners - National Center for Disease Control, Local Self-Government Bodies, Arabkir MC and ICAH; Armenian Hematology Association, Armenian Immunology Association, Armenian Red Cross Society within the European Union-WHO action to support the deployment of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination. WHO is actively involved in the national pandemic response in Armenia, supporting the Ministry of Health with various activities made possible thanks to EU funds: training healthcare professionals, upgrading public health laboratories, providing personal protective equipment and state-of-the-art biomedical equipment to hospitals, upgrading the cold chain for safe COVID-19 vaccine delivery and the health information system for evidence-based decision making. The dates of the mobile team visits to Marzes are as follows: Kotayk Marz – 8, 9, 10 April Tavush Marz – 16, 17 April Lori / Syuniq – 23, 24 April Gegharkunik/ Vayots Dzor - 30 April, 1 May Aragatsotn - 7,8 May Shirak – 14, 15 May Ararat – 21, 22 May Armavir – 28, 29 May

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