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    Categories: 2017

Armenian Disaster Response Simulation Supported by UN Migration Agency

ReliefWeb
Aug 8 2017


Report

from International Organization for Migration

Published on 08 Aug 2017 

Yerevan – On 2 August, the first inter-agency simulation exercise on humanitarian relief and disaster preparedness between Armenia and Georgia took place with the support of IOM, the UN Migration Agency.

At the request of the Armenian Ministry of Emergency Situations, IOM organized a simulation for 30 participants from concerned agencies at the Gogavan crossing on the Armenian-Georgian border. The exercise aimed to build the capacity of Armenian officials in humanitarian crisis response, including conflict-induced displacement.

The initiative comes on the heels of increased migration to Armenia, including from Syria, and rising concerns of climate-induced displacement.

“The mountainous part of the South Caucasus is one of the most seismically active regions in the world,” noted Ilona Ter-Minasyan, Head of the IOM Yerevan office. “As such, earthquakes, floods and landslides have the potential to devastate local populations and economies. The risk of hostilities in the region underlines the importance of joint simulations. It is crucial that border officials are well prepared.”

The Armenian officials taking part included representatives of border management, police, health, and agricultural agencies, who focused on striking a balance between humanitarian responsibility, the safety and dignity of migrants, and facilitating orderly migration through improved registration and protection. Georgian officials participated as observers.

The simulation created a small camp just a few kilometres from the Gogavan border crossing point, where participants worked together to discuss shelter, access to food and clean water, sanitation facilities, and the medical needs of migrants.

“Such exercises should be conducted in the most realistic way possible in order to expose existing shortcomings and correct them,” said Davit Tonoyan, Armenia Minister for Emergencies, at the simulation.

For more information, please contact Ilona Ter-Minasyan at IOM Armenia, Tel: +37410583786, Email iterminasyan@iom.int

International Organization for Migration


Emil Lazarian: “I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS
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