Disaster Risk Reduction Program Launched.

On June 25, 2012 the "Disaster risk reduction in Armenia" project officially launched, which is funded by the European Union. The project is implemented by The Red Cross, OXFAM, the UN’s Children Fund and the "Save the Children" organization in cooperation with the Ministry of Emergency Situations of RA and the Ministry of Education and Science of RA. In the opening ceremony among the attendees were the deputy Minister of Emergency Situations Haykaram Mkhitaryan, the deputy minister of Labor and Social Affairs Filaret Berikyan, the representative of UN Children's Fund Henrietta Ahrens, general secretor of Armenian Red Cross Society Anna Yeghiazaryan, Oxfam's office director Margarita Hakobyan and director of "Save the Children" in Armenia Irina Saghoyan.
"Disaster risk reduction in Armenia" project is a regional initiative, which is funded by The European Commission's Humanitarian aid and Civil Protection Directorate General (ECHO) (DIPECHO).
DIPECHO is funding projects in those regions of the world where disasters are happening more often.
In Armenia DIPECHO-funded project in Yerevan and also in Shirak, Aragatsotn, Lori, Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor regions. .
The project will be implemented in three main directions

• Expanding the abilities of local communities in disaster risk reduction in terms of identifying and satisfying the needs of vulnerable populations.
• Reflection of needs and rights of vulnerable children (including children with special needs) in the disaster risk reduction policy, the improvement of children’s and schools’ ability in disaster prone-areas for well preparing mitigation and response for possible disasters. The national educational system works in favor of educating the youth about the disaster risk reduction.
• To expand relationships between leading agencies, state agencies, National Platform of Disaster Risk Reduction (NPDRR) and other relevant institutions in the South Caucasus region in risk reduction sector for ensuring high preparedness and response in emergency situations and disasters.

Within the DIPECHO project organizations collaborate with national platform of Disaster Risk Reduction, Ministries of Emergency Situations, Education and Science, Labour and Social Welfare, Territorial Administration in Armenia, regional governments and schools.
The project is implemented by the Armenian Young Women’s Association and “Support to communities” charitable NGO.