General information

Action Against Hunger's Mission

Launch date: 1994
Local staff : 22
Expatriates : 2

Key figures

Population: 3 million inhabitants
Life expectancy : 71 years
Human Development Indicator : Ranking 83 out of 177

Humanitarian context

Only 10% of Armenia’s territory is below an altitude of 1,000 feet and only 40% is suitable for farming.

While heavy Soviet industry was the country’s main productive activity for many years, today more than half the population have emigrated in search of work, most of whom have gone to Russia. After the collapse of the Soviet Union (1991) the country’s economic and social structures have crumbled and this has had direct repercussions on economic activity.

The earthquake in Armenia in 1988 had devastating effects on the country; 25,000 people died and infrastructures collapsed. The economy has deteriorated further still as a result of the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh and the commercial blockade imposed by Turkey and Azerbaijan.

After five years of sporadic warfare between Armenia and Azerbaijan (1989-1994) a cease fire was signed but these countries have yet to come to an internationally recognised agreement about the status of the disputed territory. It is estimated that there are currently 300,000 internally displaced people as a result of the conflict.

Agricultural production, which the country relies upon for its nutrition and to generate an income for the majority of its families, is weak. Some of the main reasons for this are difficulty accessing the land, out-of-date technology and limited organisational capacity in the agricultural sector.

Food insecurity is severe due to the difficulties experienced in trying to generate income. The situation has been exacerbated by the consecutive droughts in 2000 and 2001.

Despite the government having implemented a Family Benefits System in 1999, less than 50% of the Armenian population have access to this.

Action Against Hunger in Armenia

Funding

SDC