RA Ministry of Interior, ADB discuss priority areas of cooperation in  disaster risk management 

ArmInfo. Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Armenia (MIA) Armen Mkrtchyan met with representatives of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to discuss  priority areas of cooperation under the technical assistance program  "Supporting the Implementation of ADB's Disaster Risk Management  Action Plan for 2024-2030."

According to the press service of the MIA, the project aims to  develop disaster risk reduction capacity in Armenia, as well as data  collection, risk assessment, strengthening technological systems, and  improving seismic safety.

The Deputy Minister reported that the Armenian government has  initiated institutional reforms in this regard. Specifically, the  Ministry has adopted the Law "On Disaster Risk Management and  Population Protection" and, as part of its mandate, is coordinating  the development of more than 40 by-laws. During the meeting, the  parties also discussed the process of creating a disaster risk  database to effectively collect and manage information from local  authorities and the private sector to state government bodies. In  this regard, the Deputy Minister emphasized the importance of  implementing GIS systems, educational and training programs,  leveraging international experience, and strengthening cooperation in  technological development.

At the end of the meeting, the parties agreed to continue and expand  existing cooperation.

As a reminder, the National Assembly's Defense and Security  Committee, at its March 24 session, issued a positive opinion on  draft amendments to the law on disaster risk management and  population protection.  The new draft law was developed based on an  analysis of the recent floods that occurred in the Lori and Tavush  regions in May 2024. At that time, heavy rainfall and the overflow of  the Debed and Aghstev rivers in northern Armenia caused significant  infrastructure damage and the deaths of four people. The disaster  damaged roads, bridges, and railways.