ArmInfo.The program of one-time assistance for urgent needs in the amount of AMD 100,000 for forcibly displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh is closed - the amount was paid to 108 thousand 360 citizens, Armenia's Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Narek Mkrtchyan stated at a Cabinet meeting on November 23.
Mr Mkrtchyan said that today's decision of the Cabinet of Ministers will allocate AMD 2bln to provide financial assistance in the amount of AMD 50,000 to forcibly displaced Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians to cover primary consumer expenses in November and December. Today, 40 thousand people are considered beneficiaries of the program.
The program was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on November 9 and involves providing additional assistance to beneficiaries of the "AMD 100,000" program, with some exceptions. Beneficiaries are not persons temporarily residing in hotels or guest houses, not located in the Republic of Armenia and having funds in bank accounts of more than AMD 2mln. The electronic application platform was launched on November 17. In order to take advantage of the program, the applicant will have to give written consent to have their accounts checked so that the Central Bank can make sure that those with less than 2 million drams in their accounts are receiving assistance. Electronic applications for financial assistance can be sent through the launched platform, and funds will be issued non-cash. About 10 billion drams will be allocated from the reserve fund for these purposes.
As part of the financial assistance program to cover housing expenses for October in the amount of 50 thousand drams, the amount was paid to 99,820 Artsakh residents. AMD 4.95bln were allocated for October payments. In November, the number of beneficiaries of the program will be reduced to 20 thousand, Mkrtchyan explained. With today's decision, the authorities will allocate AMD 1bln to make payments.
The program is valid from October 2023 to March 2024 inclusive and covers all displaced citizens, regardless of age, with the exception of those in special centers and those who are not on the territory of Armenia. At the same time, property owners in Armenia will receive 10 thousand drams to pay utility bills. The total cost of the program will be AMD 30bln.
Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan, in turn, indicated that since November of this year. international partners who provide support in resolving humanitarian issues of forcibly displaced persons not through financial support from the budget, but directly, will pay the amount to a certain group of citizens from the accounts of their organizations.
