New Shelter Under Construction for Asylum Seekers in Armenia

The construction of a new shelter for asylum seekers in Armenia is expected to be completed this year. The shelter is being built in the city of Abovyan, Kotayk province, and is intended to accommodate up to 120 asylum seekers. This was reported by the Armenian Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Foreign nationals seeking refugee status and asylum from the Armenian authorities can temporarily reside in this designated shelter. Currently, the existing infrastructure does not meet the annual influx of asylum seekers, which averages around 250 individuals, with the number reaching 968 in 2022.

The new shelter will significantly improve the quality of infrastructure aimed at protecting asylum seekers in Armenia. The construction is being carried out under the coordination of the International Center for Migration Policy Development with financial support from the governments of the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany.

The construction budget amounts to $1.5 million. The completion of the project was originally scheduled for an earlier date but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The building is expected to be ready for furnishing and operation by the end of the year.