April 5, 2024

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IOM ARMENIA PROGRAMME UPDATE

5 APRIL 2024

SITUATION AND NEEDS OVERVIEW

This month marks the conclusion of the six-month inter-agency Armenia Refugee Response Plan (October 2023—March 2024) (RRP). While the most acute lifesaving needs identified in the RRP have been addressed, many humanitarian needs remain:

• Adequate short-term shelter and non-food items
• Sustainable housing solutions
• Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), especially for children
• Health services in rural and underserved areas
• Registering approximately 30,000 refugees into the national ArMed electronic healthcare system
• Livelihoods and employment support for long-term socioeconomic integration

A transition period is commencing to smoothly integrate the residual crisis-related needs into the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021-2025 for Armenia (UNSDCF).

IOM RESPONSE: HEALTH AND MHPSS

In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, IOM has:

• Reached 14,047 refugees and vulnerable community members with direct healthcare services through mobile clinics
• Provided 2,837 referrals for complex or specialized assistance
• Treated 3,235 individuals symptomatically
• Offered psychological counseling to 1,328 individuals
• Partnered with Seda Ghazaryan Mental Health Foundation to provide group and individual psychological services to 1,641 refugees
• Expanded activities supporting children and teachers in collaboration with the Ministry of Education
• Managed the "Անկեղծ ասած (Frankly Said)" Facebook page with 8,800 followers, focusing on health, MHPSS, wellness, and integration into Armenian health systems

In collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and humanitarian partners, IOM:

• Is completing a Labour Force Assessment among Forcibly Displaced Persons, aligning with ILO standards
• Is finalizing data collection, cleaning, analysis, validation, and publication phases
• Is ramping up livelihood opportunities including business grants, vocational training, and job placements support

In coordination with the Rescue Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, IOM has:

• Visited 10 border communities to assess early warning systems needs
• Initiated meetings with responsible personnel to discuss improvements in early warning systems

Supporting the Migration and Citizenship Services’ refugee registration process, IOM is:

• Providing electronic signature pads and supporting system upgrades for digital registration forms
• Enhancing efficiency and effectiveness of government's digitalized knowledge management systems

© 2024 International Organization for Migration (IOM)

For more information: www.iom.int/sites/g/files/tmzbdl486/files/documents/2024-05/iomarmeniaupdate_9apr2024.pdf