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.
