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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
/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