Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and UNICEF, with the support of the German Federal Foreign Office, launch one-time needs-based cash assistance through seven different e-cards.
YEREVAN, 3 January 2025 – Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs in partnership with UNICEF and with the support of the German Federal Foreign Office, announced today of the launch of a one-time needs-based cash assistance to displaced and host community families that, for the first time, will go through an electronic payment system. The benefits are planned to reach 4000 families across Armenia from 2024 to 2025, namely families with children, pregnant women, families with newborns, children with disabilities, single-parent households, children out of school due to socio-economic issues, families in need of urgent social support and who have not been eligible for previous state social programmes.
This assistance programme was rolled out through the Unified Social Service Territorial Centers who identified vulnerable households through a multi-sector needs assessment. Family vulnerability was determined through an automated indexation method looking into the demographic situation, priority and material needs that will qualify families for three out of the following seven e-cards: New Year (AMD 50,000), Childcare (AMD 40,000), Clothing and shoes (AMD 25,000), Healthcare (AMD 25,000), Back to school (AMD 60,000), Cozy home (AMD 60,000), and Urgent food (AMD 11,000 – 44,000).
“The social issues faced by compatriots after forced displacement from NK have always been at the center of attention of the Armenian Government. A number of programmes have and continue to be implemented to support living and other expenses, as well as sustainable employment and housing solutions. We are pleased that our partners are beside us throughout this process. This initiative is yet another essential step forward in the implementation of the Social Ambulance programme and the continuation of the already tested food cards. I am full hope that this will serve its purpose,” said Narek Mkrtchyan, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs.
“Germany supports Armenia’s efforts to further assist refugee families from Nagorno-Karabakh and vulnerable families in host communities in their long-term recovery and inclusion, especially during the cold season that brings additional needs. We have extended funding through this partnership for a combination of cash assistance and care interventions that will deliver needs-based services to families, including e-cards covering crucial needs ranging from clothing, healthcare and newborn care or household items, as well as case management and mental health and psychosocial support services. This programme will also build the capacity of social service workforce and frontline professionals in identifying families in need, protection from violence and prevention of family separation,” underlined Erik Tintrup, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Armenia.
“It is crucial to match limited resources with the increased need for support to children and their families who have been displaced or live in host communities across Armenia. To that end, UNICEF has supported the Ministry in the development of the new Law on Social Assistance, putting an emphasis on increasing the shock-responsiveness of the social protection system. The e-cards system, developed within this new cash assistance programme will remain as a tool for regular state assistance programmes and be scaled-up for emergency response, when necessary, contributing to increased coordination by the Government with civil society and donors,” noted Christine Weigand, UNICEF Representative in Armenia.
An Urgent Food e-card will be introduced in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) as part of a pilot initiative. This approach adds a new tool to WFP’s existing food assistance projects, offering displaced and host families an additional way to access nutritious food during the challenging winter months. While traditional bank cards will continue to be used, the digital platform provides a complementary option to reach people in need, especially when addressing multiple needs at once.
“This integration into the Idram application offers families a seamless way to meet their dietary needs, especially during winter when vulnerabilities are heightened,” said Nanna Skau, WFP Representative and Country Director in Armenia. “This initiative reflects WFP’s ongoing commitment to enhancing food security while promoting dignity, choice, and resilience.”
All cards will be active from December 2024 to 28 February 2025 through the Idram payment system, while the Armenian Association of Social Workers and the non-governmental organization Armenian Progressive Youth will support UNICEF in coaching of social workers, providing families with case management, as well as additional information on the use of e-cards and feedback mechanisms.
For more information about the needs-based cash assistance programme visit this page.
For questions on the multi-sector needs assessment, please contact Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs hotline 114.
For questions or complaints about the e-cards, please contact UNICEF partner Armenian Progressive Youth NGO at 095 889 388.
For technical support with Idram apps (Idram and ID Plus), please contact: 060 700 700 or 098 700 970 (Telegram/WhatsApp).
https://www.unicef.org/armenia/en/press-releases/first-time-armenia-rolls-out-needs-based-cash-assistance-displaced-and-host
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