Switzerland to Support Residents of Armenian Border Communities
On November 28, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) reported that Switzerland would allocate about $1 million to assist border communities in Armenia. SDC signed a corresponding agreement with the UN World Food Program in Yerevan.
The work will be carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of Armenia. Werner Tut, the Regional Director of the Swiss Agency in the South Caucasus, noted that their goal is humanitarian assistance to residents of the border regions of the Transcaucasian Republic. "This involves social support for families and the development of business opportunities. Support will also be provided to those farmers who want to restore their economies," he said.
SDC conducted a study in six communities in three regions of Armenia (Vayotsor, Gegharkunik, and Syunik). Based on the results of this work, 130 settlements were selected, of which 50 are on the border with Azerbaijan. Direct assistance will be provided to 4,000 people, while indirect aid will be provided to 22,000 people.