World Vision assists flooded communities in central Armenia

Admin
Thursday, May 24, 2007
The floods affected almost 150 households in four communities in Gavar, where World Vision is facilitating community development.

Heavy rains and abrupt warming caused the Gavar River to overflow, severely damaging nearby houses, roads and farmland. Eight bridges that linked villages were washed away.

The flood was unprecedented. People spent three sleepless nights in the streets, where they could hardly find a dry and safe place to stay,” said Melik Harutyunyan from Ganzak village.

People spent three sleepless nights in the streets, where they could hardly find a dry and safe place to stay.

“Our cellar was flooded and we lost our primary supply of food. Our shed was flooded too, and our piglets were washed away,” said 21 year-old Armenuhi Makaryan.

World Vision declared the situation a Category I disaster, calling for a Level I response. Staffs are distributing relief goods and plan to provide potato crops – the main source of income for most families in Gavar area.

World Vision is coordinating relief activities with partnering agencies and the Government of Armenia, which has formed Response and Prevention Committees. The Government will focus on rehabilitating infrastructure and reducing the risk of the disaster recurrence. World Vision also plans to provide potato crops – the main source of income for most families in the Gavar area.

The community development program in Gavar was established in 2007 with funding from World Vision Taiwan.