World Bank (WB) will provide assistance to over 20,000 displaced people from Artsakh, currently residing in Armenia, and around 4,000 of their host families.

A Grant Agreement for the “Support to Conflict Affected Families” project was signed today by Sylvie Bossoutrot, World Bank Country Manager for Armenia, and Atom Janjughazyan, Acting Minister of Finance of Armenia.

Funds for the project are provided by the multi-donor State and Peacebuilding Fund (SPF), through a one-year grant of USD 3.72 million.

“This project is of extreme importance and the assistance granted to displaced individuals and their host families will help to improve the resilience of families affected by the conflict,” said Sylvie Bossoutrot.

Specifically, the project aims to:

- Reach around 11,530 displaced persons with a monthly cash benefit equal to the minimum wage (68,000 AMD) per adult/child for up to four months in Armenia.

- Provide cash assistance/income support to 3,975 families in Armenia hosting displaced people to help meet basic consumption needs.

- Temporarily subsidize an employment program for 936 displaced people who are looking to gain work experience in Armenia and facilitate their labor market participation and economic inclusion.

- Support 115 displaced individuals through the public works program (cash-for-work).

“The project is designed to especially benefit women affected by the conflict. According to the rapid multi-sector needs assessment conducted last December, women represent 70 percent of the adult displaced population. The cash transfers will help them meet their basic needs on a day-to-day basis. More importantly, the project will improve the resilience of the displaced families and promote the social cohesion in their host communities,” said Maddalena Honorati, World Bank Task Team Leader.