Socially vulnerable groups are those segments of society that face greater risks of social, economic, or health-related hardship, discrimination and inequality. They often experience social isolation and face difficulties integrating into community life.
Fortunately, all communities in Syunik region now have a new generation of social services that provide significant support to vulnerable groups.
Speaking to Armenpress, Armine Hovakimyan, Head of the Public Relations, Education, Culture, Sport, Youth and Social Affairs Department of Goris Municipality, noted that the “Partnership for Syunik: Enhanced Community-Based Social Services” project has been of particular importance for Syunik. The project is funded by the European Union and implemented by People in Need, the WINNET Goris Development Foundation and Armenian Caritas. Given the challenges facing the region, the project has been vital in improving existing social services and introducing new ones.
“Previously, the range of services was limited and lacked diversity, and people often had to travel to the capital to resolve their social issues. Following the 2020 war, the number of people needing support increased significantly, particularly with the arrival of large numbers of forcibly displaced families from Nagorno-Karabakh representing different vulnerable social groups. This project therefore created substantial opportunities for our region, which have been realised over the past three years. Various initiatives have been implemented across all communities of Syunik, and through cooperation with state institutions, local and international organisations, new models of social service delivery have been introduced,” said Hovakimyan.
She focused in particular on the work undertook in Goris. Whereas previously the town only had a charitable soup kitchen, the project has expanded the range of social services available to an increased number of people, including home care services for older people living alone.
“A major achievement of the project was the training of professionals, particularly social workers. Demand for qualified specialists was high, and the project created opportunities for them to obtain new professional qualifications. Equally important are the projects implemented jointly by the municipality and civil society organisations. One such example is the rehabilitation hydrotherapy service. The construction process has been monitored by Goris Municipality, DarmanNGO, the Community Social Committee, the WINNET Goris Development Foundation and the project partners. The swimming pool will soon be operational. It will provide children with disabilities and additional support needs in the community with access to hydrotherapy and rehabilitation services. Children from socially disadvantaged families will also benefit,” she said.
Speaking specifically about the introduction of home care services for older people, Hovakimyan explained that the service is implemented jointly by the Cooperation Arch NGO, Goris Municipality, and the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
“Goris has a number of older people living alone who were already receiving support through the Unified Social Service. However, home care is particularly important for them, and this service is now also co-financed by the municipality. Since these services were introduced, attitudes within the community have changed significantly. Through educational and cultural activities, we also seek to draw public attention to vulnerable families and individuals. This is one of the project’s greatest achievements,” she said.
The Armenpress team learned that older people living alone are usually visited by a dedicated team consisting of a nurse, a care worker and a social worker. During the visit to Goris, we met three service users-84-year-old Zoya Shegunts, 77-year-old Jemma Gogoryan and 64-year-old Larisa Tolpakyan-who all expressed great satisfaction with the service they receive.
They said they no longer feel alone, receiving the warmth, care and support they need while feeling that their country stands with them.
In Goris alone, 25 older people currently receive home care services provided by the Cooperation Arch NGO through funding from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. Another 12 older people living alone receive the same service with financial support from Goris Municipality.
Under the home care programme, beneficiaries remain under the continuous supervision of social workers. Nurses visit them regularly to monitor their health, while care workers help ease their daily responsibilities. A cardiologist from the Sante Armeni medical centre also visits participants on a regular basis. The specialists involved in the home care programme have successfully adapted international best practice to the local context and, combined with the experience they have gained over many years of work, ensure the delivery of high-quality services. They have completed specialised training and continuously improved their knowledge and skills to provide more effective support.
The Partnerships for Syunik – Enhanced Community-Based Social Services project is implemented by People in Need within the framework of the European Union’s Resilient Syunik – Team Europe Initiative, in cooperation with the WINNET Goris Development Foundation and Armenian Caritas. This work has been made possible thanks to cooperation with civil society, Armenia’s Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, the Syunik Regional Administration, local government bodies, and the social committees of all seven regional municipalities.
The Resilient Syunik – Team Europe Initiative is a joint programme involving the European Union, the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, ten EU Member States (Austria, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden), and Switzerland. This initiative promotes sustainable socio-economic development in the Syunik region.