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UNICEF, Oxfam GB Armenia, Armenian Red Cross Society And Save The Ch

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  • UNICEF, Oxfam GB Armenia, Armenian Red Cross Society And Save The Ch

    UNICEF, OXFAM GB ARMENIA, ARMENIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY AND SAVE THE CHILDREN LAUNCH DISASTER RISK REDUCTION PROGRAM

    /ARKA/
    JUNE 26, 2012
    YEREVAN

    YEREVAN, June 25. /ARKA/. UNICEF, Oxfam GB Armenia, the Armenian
    Red Cross Society and Save the Children have launched today a 15
    month-long program "Disaster Risk Reduction in Armenia." The program
    is funded by European Commission Humanitarian Aid department (DIPECHO).

    Margarita Hakobyan, Oxfam Armenia Director, told ARKA that Disaster
    Risk Reduction is a regional initiative of DIPECHO with a total
    budget of 700,000 euro earmarked for the South Caucasus. Of that
    amount 240,000 euros will be released to finance Armenia projects.

    She said DIP ECHO action plan is designed to reduce the vulnerability
    of the populations in the South Caucasus living in areas most prone
    to and affected by natural disasters, by focusing on Disaster Risk
    Reduction (DRR) and increasing the awareness, preparedness and response
    capacities at community, national and regional levels.

    Speaking about the specific actions of Oxfam within the frames of
    the program Hakobyan said it will work to increase flexibility in
    responding to emergencies in ten communities of Vayots Dzor. In
    addition, she said, the work will be conducted to improve awareness
    of the communities about what natural disasters are typical for this
    region and the possibilities of countering them.

    "Together with local authorities we will draw up a map of disasters
    inherent in a particular community. In all ten communities we are
    creating rescue teams, whose members will be trained and equipped,"
    she said.

    Hakobyan said Oxfam attaches great importance to gender component.

    "Women are more vulnerable during disasters, so we will have special
    training courses for women," she said.

    Hakobyan also said the program involves the creation of resource
    centers in communities that will be furnished with appropriate
    equipment.

    Director of the Armenia Save the Children Mission, Irina Sagoyan,
    said the organization will work with 21 educational institutions as
    part of the program, including 15 special schools.

    "We will work with teachers, school leadership to improve their skills
    in assisting children during disasters," she said.

    She said also Save the Children will work with parents and children
    with special needs in order to train them to react to specially
    designed disaster alerts.

    UNICEF representative Genriet Ahrens noted that the United Nations
    Children's Fund has always supported the use of educational programs in
    schools to reduce the risk of disasters. She said the UNICEF component
    of the program puts special emphasis on inclusion of disaster risk
    reduction into the education process and building a culture of safety
    and resilience at all levels of education. Among key achievements of
    the program is the integration of Disaster Risk Reduction into the
    State Program of Education Development for 2011-2015 as well as the
    State Standards of General Education.

    The "Disaster Risk Reduction in Armenia" is carried out in
    collaboration with the ministry of emergencies and ministry of
    education and science.




    From: A. Papazian
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