Field visit to the refugee host community of Masis

On 30 July, the UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia Francoise Jacob, joined by the UNHCR Senior Emergency Officer and Officer-in-Charge Gwenolenn Le Couster, UNHCR, UNDP and UNICEF colleagues, visited Masis community in Ararat province to meet with the Mayor of Masis Davit Hambardzumyan, refugee families hosted in the community, and community social workers, to understand the situation on the ground, the refugees’ challenges and opportunities, the coping mechanism and capacity of Masis community.

The UN colleagues visited community-provided collective shelters hosting refugees, including the UNDP - UNHCR supported shelter for refugees, and observed refugee women entrepreneurs’ small bakery and dress-making businesses that helped them support their families.

“This bakery is very important to me and to the community ,” said Zina, when we visited her at her small bakery shop. “I take care of my family with this  business and deliver light and healthy snacks to the neighbourhood,” Zina laughed. Her traditional ‘jingyalov hats’ (herbal bread) and pakhlava had become very popular in Masis.

The UN representatives also visited the UNICEF-supported psycho-social hub/child-friendly place for refugee children to learn about their well-being and daily life, as well as  their evolving needs.

“We have found peace and harmony in our host community. Masis is a very hospitable town, and the people here are very kind here,” the refugee women were sharing with us about their daily life.

The observations and discussions with the refugees and Masis community, helped the UN Resident Coordinator and the UN team to better understand the situation and the priority needs of the refugees and envisage future joint humanitarian, educational and development projects to support and enhance the resilience of the refugees and the host communities.

“In a joint effort, the UN team in Armenia will continue to reach out to the refugees - the furthest behind first – to be assured that no one is left behind,” the UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia Francoise Jacob stated, after the insightful field visit to Masis.