In a significant step to bolster social protection in Armenia, a new initiative provides targeted financial assistance to vulnerable families displaced from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and households facing socio-economic challenges. This program, a collaboration between the Armenian Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, UNICEF, and Germany’s Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, introduces an e-card payment system to provide one-time financial support to 4,000 families during 2024-2025. Priority is given to families with children, pregnant women, newborns, children with disabilities, and those facing financial hardship.
This intervention is timely, as displacement continues to impact numerous families. E-cards provide immediate support, enabling beneficiaries to access essential goods and services: clothing, healthcare, food, and school supplies. Beneficiary selection is conducted by the Unified Social Service using an automated scoring system. The program offers various e-cards for New Year’s, childcare, clothing, healthcare, education, living expenses, and food.
Minister Narek Mkrtchyan emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting displaced persons (Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs Website [Hypothetical URL]). Germany also emphasizes the integration of displaced populations (German Foreign Ministry Website [Hypothetical URL]). According to Erik Tintrup, funding will support financial and care assistance (Source: [Hypothetical URL and Date]). UNICEF has played a key role in developing Armenia’s social support system (UNICEF Armenia Website [Hypothetical URL and Date]). The WFP participates in a pilot food e-card program (WFP Armenia Website [Hypothetical URL and Date]).
The e-card system provides financial aid and empowers families to manage their needs. The program runs from December 2024 to February 2025, using the Idram payment system.
This initiative is important for addressing the needs of displaced persons from Artsakh. However, the government and international organizations must also uphold the fundamental rights of those forcibly displaced, which have been violated. They must be assisted in every way possible until all their rights are restored, and the Azerbaijani leadership, which has committed crimes against humanity, is held accountable.
This initiative can contribute to improving social programs based on collected data and could serve as an example for other countries.
