ARISTOMENE VARUDAKIS: 80% OF ARMENIA’S POPULATION EXPOSED TO THE RISK OF CATASTROPHES

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
14.12.2009 18:24 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ 21 years have passed since the devastating
earthquake of Spitak, but we still experience its economic, social and
psychological impact, according to Armenia’s Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan. "The present-day world teaches us to manage disaster
risks based on international experience," he told Monday a World
Bank-organized discussion devoted to "Reducing Disaster Risks and
Managing Emergencies in Armenia".

"80% of Armenia’s population is exposed to the risk of catastrophes.

Natural disasters will require large-scale expenditures by the
Government unless the latter undertakes measures towards reducing
the risks," said Aristomene Varudakis, Head of WB Office in Yerevan.

Discussion was attended by Heads of interested departments, local
and international experts, policy makers and NGO representatives.

Participants proposed measures for reducing the risk of natural
disasters, considering the studies conducted in Armenia. They
also stressed the importance of establishing state-private sector
cooperation.