11,000 REFUGEES FROM AZERBAIJAN DON’T HAVE PERMANENT HOUSING

YEREVAN, November 19 (Noyan Tapan). In accordance with the 2005 draft
state budget, financial support to four long-term programs implemented
by the Department on Issues of Migration and Refugees, as well as to
the maintenance costs of the Department staff is expected. Two of
these programs concern the resolution of the problems of refugees
from Azerbaijan. 13 mln drams are foreseen for the resolution of
their social problems and 9.6 mln drams for filing and application of
computer data of refugees and their families. Another two programs
concern the work carried out with those applying to the Armenian
authorities for asylum. Such people are lodged in special dwellings
before decision making. Expenditures of 6 mln drams are foreseen for
their maintenance. 300,000 drams (10,000 drams for each) are foreseen
for the lump sum allowance for those applying for the receiving of
the refugee status.

Gagik Yeghanian, the Chief of the Department on Issues of Migration
and Refugees, said during the November 17 joint sitting of the
Standing Commissions of the RA National Assembly that 11,000
families of refugees from Azerbaijan haven’t had permanent housing
up to now. According to the governmental decision of June 2004, it is
expected that the housing problem of 3,470 vulnerable families will be
solved first of all. The problem should be resolved owing to allocation
of certificates for the purchase of housing to the families. The total
cost of the program makes 18 mln dollars, and the Intergovernmental
Commission is established for the search of these funds.