United Nations Development Programme Country Office in Armenia
14, Karl Liebknecht Street, Yerevan 375010, Armenia
Contact: Aramazd Ghalamkaryan
Tel: (374 1) 56 60 73
Fax: (374 1) 54 38 11
E-mail: info@undp.am
Web:
UNDP COUNTRY OFFICE IN ARMENIA
1 April, 2004
UNDP AND THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY OF ARMENIA LAUNCH THE
`REDUCING DISASTER RISK. A CHALLENGE FOR DEVELOPMENT’ GLOBAL REPORT
Yerevan, Armenia
Today the Emergency Management Agency of Armenia (EMA) and the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP) presented a major global report
`Reducing Disaster Risk, A Challenge for Development’ to the general
public. Mr. Aram Tananyan, Deputy Chief of EMA and Ms. Lise Grande, UN
Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative presided over
the event. Mr. Tananyan also appealed to the donor community to
support the Governmnet’s efforts to mitigate the recent floods that
occurred in a number of regions.
The `Reducing Disaster Risk, A Challenge for Development’ was prepared
by UNDP’s Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery and presented
worldwide. The Report examines three major types of natural disasters:
earthquakes, tropical cyclones and floods. According to the Report,
billions of people in more than 100 countries are periodically exposed
to at least one earthquake, tropical cyclone, flood or drought. As a
result of natural disasters, more than 184 deaths per day are recorded
throughout the world.
The Report also shows that the achievement of the Millennium
Development Goals are endangered in many of the countries exposed to
natural disasters because they destruct infrastructure and cause
financial, social, economic and environmental shocks.
According to Ms. Grande: `The Report shows that Armenia ranks second
in the world in terms of exposure to earthquakes. This is an important
fact – it means that Armenians are more exposed to earthquakes than
almost anyone else in the entire world. The recognition of this should
lead us to strengthen and accelerate our efforts to help Armenia be
better prepared to confront natural and man-made disasters.’
Mr. Tananyan noted that the Governmenmt of Armenia is in the process
of calculating the damage caused by the recent floods and storms. He
expressed his grateful acknowledgement of UNDP’s efforts made so far
in the area of disaster management, and presented an appeal to the
donor community for assistance.
Country background: Despite its relatively small territory, Armenia’s
landscape is diverse. Armenia also has different climatic zones and is
vulnerable to a number of potential natural including earthquakes,
floods, landslides and hailstorms. In addition, Armenia is also
exposed to a number of potential technological or man-made disasters
as a result of the nuclear power plant, which is located in a
seismically active zone, and chemical and hazardous production
facilities.
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UNDP is the UN’s global development network. It advocates for change
and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help
people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries,
working with them on their own solutions to global and national
development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on
the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners.
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For further information, please contact Mr. Aramazd Ghalamkaryan, UNDP
Armenia at aramazd@undp.am.
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