Video: Approximately 1 Billion to Be Allocated to Citizens Affected by Disaster Zone, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs

At the beginning of the month, the government approved the compensation procedure for citizens affected by the floods in the Lori and Tavush regions. Arpine Sargsyan, Armenia's Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, said during a meeting with journalists that compensation would be provided only to property owners for immovable property.

"Compensation will be provided to the owners of two individual houses and 16 apartments in the form of housing purchase certificates, as the houses cannot be restored. The certificate will be issued within two months after the application is confirmed. In cases where repair works are involved, the zoning of the areas is in effect depending on the degree of damage. For homeowners in the communities of Alaverdi in Lori province and Ayroum in Tavush province, 60,000 drams will be allocated per square meter for houses that need repairs. Additionally, damages caused to household furniture in these communities will be compensated up to 1,200,000 drams.

Payments will be made in four phases, each at 25%. The first 25% will be presented simultaneously, and each subsequent 25% will be provided after submitting data on the use of funds for the specified needs, with at least 60% paid by non-cash means. For homeowners in other communities of the disaster zone that need repairs, 40,000 drams will be allocated per square meter. In this case, 800,000 drams will be paid for damages to main household furniture. Payments will be implemented in two phases: first 70 percent, then 30 percent," the official noted.

According to her, this system is introduced so that beneficiaries can apply and receive support between July 15 and September 30, 2024. "The last payment to beneficiaries may be made on July 1, 2025. This means citizens have one year to spend the allocated funds either on purchasing a home or for repairs. If any of these amounts are not spent during this period, they will revert to the state budget. The government has allocated 1 billion drams for the payment of these two types of compensations," Sargsyan added.

She clarified that no compensation will be provided for unauthorized constructions, advising citizens to try to find time to legalize them. At the same time, social assistance will be provided to citizens in this category. "Moreover, the government is developing other support programs that will address compensation for damages suffered by agriculture, legal entities, and other sectors," the Deputy Minister concluded.