Following the flash floods in Armenia’s Lori and Tavush regions in May, the European Union is providing €100 000 in humanitarian funding to assist the most affected villages.
As reported by the press service of the EU Embassy in Yerevan, this EU funding supports the Armenian Red Cross in delivering much needed relief assistance, including cash assistance and essential supplies.
This humanitarian aid aims to directly benefit 5060 individuals in total, including 2,500 individuals who will receive cash assistance for their most immediate needs and 2,760 individuals who will receive support with gaining access to shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene. The assistance is targeting families whose homes, crop fields, livestock or food supplies were destroyed during the floods.
The funding is part of the EU's overall contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
On May 26, 2024, heavy thundery rain showers across Armenia led to significant rainfall, with up to 100 mm recorded locally. This caused the sudden overflowing of the Debed, Aghstev, and Tashir rivers, exacerbating the flood impact in the Lori and Tavush regions.
Earlier, BMG reported that the Armenian government declared a disaster zone in nine communities of the Tavush and Lori provinces following the devastating flood caused by heavy rains on May 25-26, 2024. These communities comprise 39 settlements with about 113,000 residents affected by the catastrophe.
Approximately 11 sections of the M4 interstate road have various damages, and the M6 road connecting Armenia to Georgia was damaged in 43 sections.
In the disaster zone, 24 bridges were also reported damaged, 16 of which are unusable. Some are small community bridges, while others are major bridges consisting of 6-7 spans that require complete replacement.
