International partners show readiness to support Armenia following flood - Minister

YEREVAN, MAY 31, ARMENPRESS. The town of Alaverdi, significantly affected by the recent flood, on Friday welcomed more than 40 members of the diplomatic representations operating in the Republic of Armenia. They toured the damaged parts of the community to witness firsthand the efforts to eliminate the consequences of the disaster.

During the press conference held in the Alaverdi community hall, the Armenian Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures and head of the operational staff, Gnel Sanosyan, mentioned that there have been numerous meetings with foreign partners over the past few days.

Sanosyan added that they have heard from various foreign partners about their willingness to provide support in both professional, expert and other directions.

According to him, the diplomats may not have fully grasped the true scale of the disaster beforehand, but upon visiting the disaster zone, they naturally drew conclusions that could lead to the development of specific support programs.

"That support can be expressed in various ways, from providing experts to conducting inventory work. The inventory is multi-layered and covers many areas. The number of beneficiaries is significant due to the extensive damage to private property. Community property has also been significantly damaged, so we will need various forms of support, including financial assistance. In addition to rehabilitation efforts, we should also implement preferential programs to encourage business and promote agriculture in the disaster zone. This will help people to recover and resume their business activities," said Sanosyan.

''In addition to the fact that an operational headquarters has been created, which works in an emergency mode and coordinates the works carried out in both Lori and Tavush regions, one of the functions is to record everything and transfer it to the republican commission," said the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures and head of the operational staff, Gnel Sanosyan.