Mesrop Arakelyan on Support Programs for Artsakh Armenians

Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Mesrop Arakelyan made a post on his Facebook page regarding the support programs approved by the government, providing some information and clarifications.

The post is presented below:

“Dear Artsakh residents, I am providing some information and clarifications regarding the support programs approved by the government.

• Of the applications for the support program provided to citizens registered in Artsakh (68,000 drams + 15,000 drams if they do not own property), 99% of potential beneficiaries' applications have been approved, with 86% having actually received the support funds.
• There are complaints regarding the rejections of some citizens’ applications. Although these individuals do not meet the requirements from a realistic perspective, there are in fact reasons to qualify as beneficiaries. In this regard, a change has been made by government decision, whereby the justifications provided by the Artsakh government will be considered grounds for qualifying as beneficiaries and receiving support.
• In the coming days, previously rejected applications, as well as applications that could not be evaluated due to programmatic reasons, will be reviewed once again.
• The deadline for accepting applications has been extended from December 20 to January 11.
• Regarding the support program for citizens registered in lost settlements (300,000 drams per citizen), 90% of potential beneficiaries have applied, and their applications are being reviewed by the Artsakh government, with some citizens having already received support funds as of today.
• The deadline for accepting applications under this program has also been extended until January 11.
• Individual justifications will similarly serve as grounds for qualifying as beneficiaries under this program.
• Applications for the support program for residents who lost their homes due to destruction and other reasons (250,000 drams per citizen) will start being accepted next week.
• Applications are already being accepted for the support program for families of victims and injured civilians (1-5 million drams).
• A support initiative for Artsakh residents in Armenia to gain work experience will commence in January.
• A support initiative for temporary employment of Artsakh residents in Armenia (community jobs) will also begin in January.
• The reception of applications for the accommodation initiative for Artsakh residents in Armenia and Artsakh (30,000 drams per adult in Armenia and 45,000 drams in Artsakh) will start on December 25, with payments for December to be made in January.

I ask for the understanding of all Artsakh residents who have yet to receive support or have faced inconveniences during this process.

For the ministry, every citizen is under our individual care.

I assure you that every citizen in need of support will receive the assistance of the state under our individual responsibility towards every citizen.”