Not Prepared for War or Earthquake: Who Should Have Informed Us About the Earthquake?

The newspaper "Zhoghavorud" reports that in 2020, responsible agencies urged citizens to stay at home, while in 2021, they are advising to stay outdoors. The reason for this shift is the earthquake, and it has become clear that we are once again unprepared as we are not informed about how to act in such situations.

On February 13, a second earthquake was recorded in Armenia; however, the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the Territorial Seismic Protection Service have only now decided to prepare informational videos, which should have been done since the day of the first earthquake.

It should be noted that on February 5, a 4.7 magnitude earthquake occurred 5 km northeast of the community of Shorja in the Gegharkunik region, at a depth of 10 km. At that time, the Ministry of Emergency Situations only issued a statement indicating that weak and strong earthquakes were expected in Armenia.

Eight days later, a second earthquake occurred, which was stronger than the first; however, there was again no information on how residents should behave or what actions they should take. Yet, it is a fact that an earthquake had occurred, and it was the Ministry of Emergency Situations that announced that there would be another one.

So, who or which organization should have ensured this information? Armenia has a Territorial Seismic Protection Service, whose functions include reducing seismic risk in the territory of Armenia—this means ensuring the livelihood of the population and minimizing the economic and social losses to the state caused by earthquakes. Among its objectives is "Increasing public awareness and preparedness in the field of seismic protection." However, this important provision has not been implemented.

Moreover, it is noted that the Territorial Seismic Protection Service has two directors and 24 departments, but it remains unclear what they are occupied with. It is evident that the organization has failed to fulfill its responsibilities and only after two earthquakes did it decide to prepare informational videos, the readiness of which is also uncertain.

The impression is that we have an unaware government: we were not prepared for war, we are not prepared for earthquakes, and even with snowfall, there is confusion.

For more details, refer to today’s edition of the newspaper.