WFP TO DELEGATE POWERS TO ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT
ARKA
Feb 27, 2008
YEREVAN, February 27. /ARKA/. The UN World Food Program (WFP) will
delegate powers to the RA Government before the end of 2008.
Head of the Program Department, WFP office in Armenia, Liana Kharatyan
reported that the WFP has no wish nor can it stay in the countries
that recorded high economic growth.
According to her, the indicators show that the country does not
need this aid, and the Government is able to support the socially
vulnerable sections of the population. Kharatyan reported that the
WFP been working in Armenia since 1993. During this period, Armenia
has received $83mln humanitarian aid. She reported that aid was first
provided to Armenian refugees and internally displaced people. The
program was later expanded and involved socially vulnerable sections
of the population.
Head of the Department for Coordination of Charity Programs Martin
Mkhitaryan said that Armenia was informed in advance that the UN WFP
intended to terminate its projects in Armenia. In this connection,
the RA Government assumes the responsibility for further assistance
to socially vulnerable sections of the population.
In 2007, Armenia started elaborating a relevant strategy envisaging
two ways of rendering further assistance: in-kind and financial aid,
Mkhitaryan said.
He pointed out that on January 1, 2007, the RA Government raised
pensions, social allowances and lump-sum benefits.
Ð~]e also pointed out that, after the RA Government takes over the WFP
projects, the number of families receiving in-kind aid will be reduced.
"A total of 35,000 families currently receive in-kind aid, and from
2009 this figure will be reduced," Mkhitaryan said.
–Boundary_(ID_hDD1TS/ZJNiLyST14464fw)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
