March 1, 2024

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IOM RESPONSE OVERVIEW

ARMENIA REFUGEE RESPONSE PLAN 2023-2024

IOM RESPONSE OVERVIEW

ARMENIA REFUGEE RESPONSE PLAN

OCTOBER 2023-MARCH 2024

40,660 PEOPLE TARGETED

101,000 PEOPLE AFFECTED

$9.6M FUNDING REQUIREMENT

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Since 24 September 2023, over one hundred thousand refugees have arrived in Armenia, following the recent escalation of the decades-long conflict in the region. Prior to their arrival, the refugees – including people in vulnerable situations, such as older people, women, newborns, children, pregnant women, and persons living with disabilities and chronic health conditions – faced months of blockade that limited access to food, medicine, and other basics supplies. This population has now arrived in Armenia, leaving behind their homes and assets, in need of immediate, life-saving as well as medium to longer-term support.

Most of the refugees are settling in areas with pre-existing family networks and access to services. Those without housing, family support, or the ability to rent accommodation, are directed by the government to the localities with available temporary accommodations. As of 11 October, 40 percent of the refugees are housed in government-run temporary accommodation including old or empty buildings.

Most refugees are in and around the area of the capital Yerevan (43%) or in the border region of Syunik (15%). While the prospect of return remains very uncertain, mobility will continue to be a defining feature of the crisis.

The Government of Armenia is leading the response with a focus on life-saving needs while devising medium to longer-term solutions for new arrivals. The Deputy Prime Minister is coordinating a working group composed of line ministries, humanitarian partners including UN agencies, national and international NGOs, and community-based organizations. The UN Country Team in Armenia has coordinated its response as part of the Armenia Refugee Response Plan, to complement the national response, through inclusive interventions, supporting urgent life-saving needs with a particular focus on the approaching winter. This response plan also paves the way to invest in the resilience of both the refugees and communities hosting them through Early Recovery interventions.

The IOM Response Overview represents an extract from the inter-agency Armenia Refugee Response Plan. The present document outlines the role of IOM and its planned support through Emergency Shelter/Non-Food Items (NFI), Protection, Health, and Early Recovery interventions. The figures in the IOM response plan may be revised in the days ahead in coordination with the government and partners, as additional information through ongoing needs assessments becomes available.

FUNDING REQUIREMENT (USD)

Emergency Shelter/Non-Food Items	$4.9M
Health	$1.1M
Protection	$1.5M
Early Recovery	$2.1M
Total	$9.6M

IOM CAPACITY TO RESPOND

Leveraging on its global operational capacities and the footprint in Armenia, IOM is able to quickly scale up its programming to meet the most urgent needs of the refugees, particularly in the areas of Emergency Shelter/NFI support, Protection assistance, Health and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support service provision, and Early Recovery action. IOM Armenia’s ongoing programmes align with international commitments and government priorities across the Humanitarian-Development-Peace nexus in Labor Migration, Voluntary Return and Reintegration, Integrated Border Management, and Counter-Trafficking. In the context of previous crises in Armenia (2020, IOM adopts a comprehensive response strategy to assist arrivals from the conflict zone and in host communities.

IOM Armenia was established in 1993, when the Republic of Armenia became an IOM Member State. For the past three decades, IOM Armenia has been instrumental in shaping migration policies and management reforms through policy advice, high-quality evidence, capacity building, technical assistance, and providing direct assistance to diverse migrant groups. Since 2021, IOM has taken on the role of Coordinator and Secretariat for the UN Network on Migration in Armenia. IOM works before, during and after crises situations and is uniquely positioned to support complementary and simultaneous response and recovery efforts. IOM has extensive experience working directly with communities and supporting the Government of Armenia in providing essential services, risk mitigation and protection for vulnerable groups; as well as contributing to the resilience and self-reliance of vulnerable refugees and host communities through a people-centered response and recovery-focused approach.

HEALTH

IOM is co-leading the health sector and will contribute to increasing access to quality health services, including mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) under the coordination of the Ministry of Health. IOM will:

• Provide direct health assistance through mobile health clinics including specialized healthcare.
• Undertake health promotion by way of campaigns and messaging.
• Support medical referrals for persons needing continuity of care for existing health issues as well as specialized care, including individual physical rehabilitation in secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities.
• Support procurement and provision of essential medical equipment and supplies to healthcare facilities.
• Provide MHPSS services tailored to the needs of the affected population.

Funding required: $1,088,000

Target individuals: 9,120

EMERGENCY SHELTER/NON-FOOD ITEMS (S/NFI)

IOM, in close coordination with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MLSA) and the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure (MOTAI), will provide shelter for affected populations, improve conditions of existing shelters, as well as work closely with municipalities and community-based organizations (CBOs) to distribute NFIs. IOM will:

• Support access to basic household items including but not limited to winterization support such as electric heaters and solid fuel, procured locally where possible.
• Assist affected households and the government with housing repairs, by providing, where possible, construction materials, rehabilitation services and technical support through information, education and communication materials and in-person guidance from engineers.
• Provide emergency shelter assistance by supplying prefabricated containers for those living in areas without access to rental housing, and through rapid repair and rehabilitation of communal shelters and other types of housing.
• Implement site planning and management activities, including through provision of legal and technical expertise to local and national authorities, aimed at ensuring that reception arrangements, planning of new sites, and living conditions and other community needs of persons of concern are effectively addressed.

Funding required: $4,926,670

Target individuals: 40,660

PROTECTION

IOM, in close collaboration with government counterparts and relevant stakeholders, will support the government's efforts to ensure that the protection and assistance needs of refugees, IDPs, returnees and other vulnerable migrants are addressed in line with international standards and human rights principles. IOM will:

• Provide legal assistance, including through individual counseling and representation, to refugees and asylum seekers to facilitate access to international and national protection and services.
• Support the government and local communities in developing and implementing community-based protection mechanisms, including those targeting women, children and other vulnerable groups.
• Strengthen the capacity of national and local authorities and civil society organizations to identify, refer, and respond to the protection needs of refugees and other vulnerable migrants.
• Enhance community-based protection structures to increase safety and dignity of vulnerable populations, with a particular focus on gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response.

Funding required: $1,508,340

Target individuals: 40,660

EARLY RECOVERY

IOM will contribute to early recovery efforts that build resilience and reduce vulnerability among refugees and host communities. IOM will:

• Support livelihoods and income-generating activities for refugees and vulnerable host communities, including through vocational training and micro-enterprise support.
• Provide technical assistance and support to local authorities to restore community infrastructure and services affected by the influx of refugees.
• Strengthen social cohesion and peaceful coexistence between refugees and host communities through community-based activities and dialogue initiatives.
• Support access to education for refugee children and youth, including through the rehabilitation and construction of school infrastructure and provision of educational materials and supplies.

Funding required: $2,081,990

Target individuals: 40,660

INCLUSION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

IOM will ensure that the specific needs and vulnerabilities of persons with disabilities are taken into account in all aspects of its response, including planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation. IOM will:

• Conduct assessments to identify persons with disabilities and their specific needs, and ensure accessibility of IOM services and facilities.
• Provide specialized assistance and support to persons with disabilities, including access to healthcare, rehabilitation services, and assistive devices.
• Train IOM staff and partners on disability inclusion and mainstreaming, and advocate for the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities in humanitarian action.
• Support community-based organizations and disabled persons' organizations in promoting the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities in community activities and decision-making processes.

Funding required: $1,088,000

Target individuals: 40,660

CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES

IOM will integrate cross-cutting issues across all sectors of its response to ensure that the rights and needs of all vulnerable groups are addressed. Key cross-cutting issues include:

• Gender equality and women’s empowerment, including addressing gender-based violence (GBV) and promoting women’s participation in decision-making processes.
• Age, disability, and diversity considerations, ensuring that responses are inclusive and accessible to all vulnerable individuals and groups.
• Environmental sustainability, including promoting energy-efficient and climate-resilient infrastructure and practices.
• Accountability to affected populations, including transparent and inclusive communication, community feedback mechanisms, and participation in decision-making.
• Protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), including prevention measures, reporting mechanisms, and accountability for perpetrators.

For more information: crisisresponse.iom.int/sites/g/files/tmzbdl1481/files/uploaded-files/IOM%20Response%20Overview%20-%20Armenia%20Refugee%20Response%20Plan.pdf