It Is Necessary to Be Accessible to Every Resident and Work with Our Citizens through Communication and Telecommunications Means – Felix Tsolakyan

On July 14, Minister of Emergency Situations Felix Tsolakyan held a consultation meeting with the leadership of the Rescue Service and heads of structural and regional subdivisions. This was reported by the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Armenia.

The minister prioritized listening to the report of the Tavush regional rescue administration. The head of the administration, Colonel Pirumyan, presented the situation at the border and the immediate measures being taken.

The minister instructed all actions to be coordinated with the local armed forces leadership and to prepare intensively for the population's sheltering and evacuation efforts, as necessary. “It is necessary to be accessible to every resident, to work with our citizens through communication and telecommunications means, even if it is necessary to assist in acquiring food and other issues, based on the safety of residents,” emphasized the minister.

The unprecedented rainfall experienced in the Shirak region the day before had disrupted normal life. According to the report from the head of the regional rescue administration, Colonel Gyozalyan, rescuers have carried out drainage operations by any means possible, hundreds of vehicles have been evacuated, observation wells have been opened, and dozens of houses have been saved. He assured that the situation is currently manageable.

Given the fire hazard situation in the republic, Minister Tsolakyan instructed the participants of the meeting to pay special attention to the observance of fire safety regulations, to inform citizens as much as possible, to work closely with other responsible agencies, and to maintain vigilance. The minister emphasized the necessity of preventing risks and future issues through controlled fires.

He also expressed concern over the number of drownings recorded in the first half of 2020 and instructed to tighten monitoring in Sevan and other water areas. The preservation of human life should be a paramount value, and this is a challenge that requires maximum effort. This is a viable task – the mission of a rescuer.