On 9-13 September 2024, a delegation from the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) of the United States State Department was on mission to Armenia.
The mission was led by Ms. Robyn Prinz, the PRM Regional Refugee Coordinator based in Moldova and Mr. Daryn Yoder, PRM Team Lead for Europe, based in Washington, who were on mission to Armenia to understand the impact of the donor support and the post-emergency displacement situation and to learn about the well-being and evolving needs of refugees and host communities by way of meetings with the local authorities and community-based organizations, interaction with and house visits to refugees, combined with on-site observation of PRM and multi-donor-funded projects of UNHCR, UNICEF, IOM, and ICRC.
The two-day mission to Goris community in Syunik included a visit to the community centre in Verishen, established with the joint efforts of UNHCR and UNDP, where the local and refugee children spent their after-school time, engaging in informal education, cultural activities and folklore, art and handicrafts. The children were happy to talk about the interesting activities, their art works and handmade items and perform a theatre sketch about old Armenian customs and traditions. “This community centre is our second home. We come here to play and learn more about Armenia, the Armenian literature, history and arts. Together, we organize community events and celebrate many interesting occasions and national days,” said a refugee boy Gor showing proudly his artwork – a hand-painted stone.
Following the interaction with the children, the delegation had a discussion with a group of refugees, among them single mothers, older people, vulnerable women and men who shared their heartfelt stories of displacement and hardships, and the challenges they were trying to overcome.
Expressing gratitude for the support received, they emphasized the need for continuous and targeted assistance, particularly in accessing housing, employment, cash assistance, and livelihood support.
“Vulnerable refugees, such as single elderly individuals, women-headed households, and people with disabilities, often have no choice but to rely on external support. With the right resources, we can regain our autonomy, feel safe and secure, and rebuild our lives with dignity,” said a refugee woman, Lilit, on behalf of herself and other refugees.
During the meeting with the PRM delegation and UNHCR, the Deputy Mayor of Goris, Ms. Irina Yolyan, highlighted the vital role of the community leadership in supporting refugees, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the local authorities and the government, and the enrolment of the refugees in different humanitarian and development projects with the invaluable support of the international partners, such as PRM. Ms. Yolyan highlighted the priority areas of intervention – housing, employment, and social integration, acknowledging the selfless efforts of the social workers and community volunteers, state and NGO partners and the international community.
“Goris community would not be able to overcome the displacement challenges during those difficult emergency times without the timely and crucial support the refugees had received thanks to you. To ensure stability and future for the refugee families, we need to do more to help them rebuild their lives, earn income and plan their future,” said the Deputy Mayor of Goris, seeking international community’s continuous support.
In the meeting with around 30 NGOs and community-based organizations, the local partners expressed heartfelt gratitude for the ongoing support from international partners, instrumental in delivering humanitarian assistance to vulnerable refugees. Highlighting the need for continued aid, they stressed the importance of strengthening the capacity of the host communities and service providers to ensure the inclusion of the refugees.
During house visits, the delegation met four families benefiting from cash assistance and housing repair programs provided by UNHCR. In one home, a mother shared her experience: “We left everything behind; this assistance has given us hope. Without it, we wouldn’t have a safe place to call home.” In another visit, a father emphasized the importance of the aid, stating, “This cash assistance is not just money; it’s dignity. It enables me to provide for my children and plan for our future.” A third family, newly settled, noted the positive impact of housing repairs:
“Having a safe and secure place to live is essential for us.” Lastly, an elderly couple reflected on their needs, saying, “The support from community and partners are important for us to rebuild our lives.”
Each family’s story highlighted the essential role of these programs in helping refugees establish themselves and regain stability in their new communities. During the visits, the delegation also met a resilient beekeeper who shared her journey of perseverance amid multiple displacements, demonstrating the determination that many refugees exhibit as they work to rebuild their lives in a new community.
Later, the delegation visited some of the ICRC-led programs, notably the one on strengthening the capacity of a morgue in Goris, which had become instrumental in providing dignified services during times of loss and grief. This facility was equipped to ensure that the deceased are treated with respect and care. The team learned how this service has alleviated some of the burdens faced by families, helping them to find closure during such difficult times.
The delegation then observed the solarization of a health post in a remote town Zaritap, another ICRC project aimed at ensuring the continuity of health services even in areas where access to electricity was unreliable. This initiative not only enhances the functionality of the health post but also significantly improves the quality of care provided to the local population. By harnessing renewable energy, the health post can operate consistently, ensuring that essential medical services, including maternal care and emergency treatments, are available whenever needed. Together, these ICRC-supported initiatives exemplify a holistic approach to addressing both the immediate needs and long-term resilience in vulnerable communities.
PRM met with UNICEF implementing partners as well as refugee children and their caregivers in Yerevan. Psychologists from Parenting School discussed their efforts to provide mental health and psychosocial support through both individual and group therapy sessions, helping the parents acquire essential skills to nurture their children’s emotional development, creating safe spaces for them to discuss their experiences and challenges. By addressing the complexities of displacement and trauma, these initiatives exemplify a holistic approach to fostering mental health and psychosocial well-being, ensuring that vulnerable children and their families receive the comprehensive care necessary to rebuild their lives and thrive in their new communities.
The delegation also met with refugee families who had received clothing vouchers as winter approached to keep warm. The vouchers gave families a sense of autonomy as they could choose what items, from outfits to bedding and blankets, to purchase based on their needs and preferences. The delegation also visited another UNICEF partner, refugee-led NGO ‘Lady Cox Rehabilitation Center’, providing specialized services for refugee children with disabilities. This intervention exemplifies a localized approach building on pre-existing mechanisms familiar to refugees in their communities allowing to build a better rapport and integration.
On September 12, the delegation travelled to Gyumri in Shirak to observe IOM project sites and engage with refugees and local authorities. The representatives of the PRM had a meeting with Ms. Anna Martikyan, the Deputy Mayor of Shirak, to convey the project impact, the evolving needs of refugees, and visited Gyumri Medical Center renovated with the PRM support, as well. They discussed the significant challenges faced by large families in meeting basic needs, such as inadequate housing and rising living costs. Refugees shared their struggles, underscoring the critical role of IOM’s housing repair projects in creating safer living conditions. Local authorities recognized these challenges and expressed a commitment to collaborating with IOM to expand programs that effectively address these needs, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive support for both refugees and the local community.
The refugees greatly appreciated the emergency support provided by PRM and the efforts of UNHCR, UNICEF, IOM, and the ICRC in addressing their needs. They underlined that the ongoing assistance remained critical. As the situation evolves, expanding government services and ensuring comprehensive support in areas like employment, housing, protection, and social assistance, particularly to vulnerable women, elderly and people with disabilities, remain paramount. The delegation’s visits underscored the resilience of refugees and the vital role of community and grassroots organizations in fostering an inclusive environment, as well as PRM’s timely and crucial contributions enabling UNHCR, UNICEF, IOM, and the ICRC to deliver emergency assistance to refugees and host communities. Sustained efforts during this transition phase are essential to ensure that refugees can fully integrate into the Armenian society and the national socio-economic schemes and contribute to the host communities while rebuilding their lives. Continuous international solidarity will be key to addressing refugees’ immediate humanitarian needs and fostering inclusion by ensuring that no one is left behind.
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