FUNDS RAISED FROM "THEY ARE WAITING FOR US…" CAMPAIGN WILL BE ALLOCATED AS SOCIAL AID TO 1200 ELDERLY PEOPLE LIVING IN DORMITORIES
Anush Petrosyan

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 19, 2010

Out of 500 thousand elderly people living in Armenia, 50 thousand
are lonely.

According to the RA Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, out of 500
thousand elderly people in Armenia, 50 thousand are lonely, living
in extreme poverty. For most of them, pension is the only source of
income, and only 10 thousand are registered as eligible for social,
medical and psychological assistance.

The number of lonely elderly people, who always enjoyed respect in
Armenia, increased after the devastating 1988 earthquake, collapse
of the Soviet Union as well as due to the huge refugee flows from
Azerbaijan (nearly 400 thousand). The state’s attempts to resolve
the problems elderly people are experiencing prove insufficient,
as there is a strong need for public support.

The problem is addressed by a number of Armenian NGOs, including the
Armenian Red Cross Society, which has been for many years implementing
programs to reduce vulnerability of the population through social
reforms. On March 1, 2010, the ARCS announced the launch of "They
are waiting for us…" campaign aiming to attract public attention
to social, health and psychological problems of lonely elderly living
in dormitories across Armenia. The campaign consists of two stages –
awareness outreach and fundraising activities. Under the program, 90
recipients from the towns of Armavir, Gyumri and Gavar are provided
psychological support and home care by volunteers. Funds raised from
the campaign will be allocated as social aid to 1200 elderly people
living in dormitories.

A total of 96 people from Yerevan, Vanadzor and 13 populated areas
of Tavush region are recipients of the ARCS-led "Social and Medical
Care to the Victims of National Socialism" program.

"We are hopeful the campaign will help these lonely people. The
results will be summed up during a charity supper on May 21. Zvartnots
International Airports has also joined the campaign placing donation
boxes in its terminals," ARCS International Youth Program Coordinator
Nazeli Kirakosyan said, calling on major Armenian organizations
to join.

The data on elderly people was provided by the Ministry of Labor and
Social Affairs. The ARCS collaborates with the Ministry of Sport and
Youth Affairs and Yerevan Mayor’s Office.