Information Does Not Correspond to Reality: Spokesperson on Rotting Aid in the Ministry of Social Affairs

The publication by Yerevan.Today titled "The Ministry of Social Affairs is Rotting Aid Provided to Artsakh Residents in Cellars" does not correspond to reality. This was stated by Zara Manucharyan, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, in an interview with Auroranews.

“Both the acceptance and distribution of assistance is conducted according to procedures, compliant with mandatory requirements. Currently, we have only a batch of wheelchairs, walkers, and other supportive devices stored. Most of the stock we have on hand consists of wheelchairs and walkers. These supportive devices are provided to everyone. We have a procedure in place where individuals with or without a disability group must be issued a certificate, and based on this certificate, citizens can approach and receive supportive devices. Apart from these mandatory procedures, we also provide those in need of supportive devices, but who do not have a disability group, with wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, and other desired aids,” said the spokesperson.

According to Manucharyan, the process is carried out based on the inventory of stored resources in the charitable warehouses operating under the supervision of the Ministry of Social Affairs, which are distributed monthly according to requests received by the ministry from citizens in need.

“Naturally, the provision of wheelchairs is not an end in itself, and they are provided based on need,” Manucharyan added.

It should be noted that Yerevan.Today published a report stating that former Social Affairs Minister Mesrop Arakelyan had disagreements with several international organizations. According to the publication, the reason is the millions of dollars worth of aid rotting in the basements of the ministry, which was collected by these organizations, but due to Mesrop Arakelyan's negligence, did not reach its destination. Meanwhile, the aid had been collected urgently during the 44-day war to be distributed to residents evacuated from Artsakh and soldiers who were disabled.

The media has learned the volume and list of aid rotting in the cellars, amounting to over 32 million drams, including mattresses, blankets, beds, walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, special shower chairs for the disabled, hygiene supplies, blankets, and more.