CERF allocates $300,000 to Armenia to provide life saving winterization needs for Iraqi refugees

31 October 2007 - CERF allocates $300,000 to Iraqi refugees in Armenia. UNHCR will be addressing immediate life saving winterization needs of a group of 700 asylum seekers and refugees from Iraq. This particular group of refugees and asylum seekers represent ethnic Armenians who fled from Iraq due to the generalized violence associated with persecution on the basis of their ethnicity/religion.

Iraqi refugee children play in a rubbish dump [Photo: IRIN]

This vulnerable group is facing difficulties in communicating with the local population (lack of knowledge of the Armenian language) and has almost no resources. Especially in view of the approaching of the harsh Armenian winter, they are in need of minimum relief support (heating, winter clothing and shoes, food and medicines).

This three-month project is based on a recent needs assessment jointly conducted by UNHCR and its implementing partner, Armenian Red Cross society. UNHCR will provide support to this vulnerable group of people through its partners, the Armenian Red Cross Society and the Mission Armenia (NGO).

The Iraqi refugees are mainly living in Yerevan and closest villages of Ararat Marz.  Most of them are in temporary places of residence, and resources available to the Iraqi families are steadily diminishing.

With the CERF grant, UNHCR will provide coverage of heating expenses for three winter months of 175 families; provision of food to 175 families for 3 months; provision of winter clothes and shoes to persons of concern, one time assistance for all winter months; basic medicines for 700 persons for three months.

[Last Update: 9 November 2007]

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