Armenia
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› 1,332 farmers trained in new agriculture techniques |
Background
UMCOR opened its Armenia office in 1994. Initially, UMCOR's work in Armenia focused on distributing pharmaceuticals to health institutions and clinics. Later, the programs expanded to include development activities with a focus on micro-credit and transitional programming. UMCOR Armenia is based in Yerevan.
AGRICULTURE
Food Security
UMCOR promotes a self sustainable and secure food system. Through this program, now in its third phase, UMCOR provides four state-run institutions with agricultural inputs such as cows and beehives, as well as the necessary training for staff and some beneficiaries to properly care for them. The staff also learn how to appropriately process what the inputs produce, such as milk and honey. This program will improve food security for 675 vulnerable institutionalized people living in four elderly homes and special schools in Yerevan, Shirak and Kotayk regions by enabling them to become self-sustainable, learn new technical skills and their improve nutrition and quality of life.
Sustainable Cooperative Extension and Agricultural Development
UMCOR began the FDA-funded Food for Progress program in July 2008. In the first phase of the program, UMCOR monetized 6,000 metric tons of USDA-donated soybean meal in Armenia. The proceeds are being used to implement the Sustainable Cooperative Extension and Agricultural Development program.
The two year program builds on UMCOR’s extensive agricultural development programming already in Armenia. Through this program, UMCOR aims to improve the livelihood of farmers and small-scale agricultural entrepreneurs in three regions of the country through development of their production, management, pre-processing and marketing capacities. It is anticipated that more than 126,000 people will benefit from the following activities: 1) Agricultural extension support to individual rural farmers to encourage adoption of improved farming techniques and agricultural technologies; 2) Creation of new agricultural cooperatives and capacity building of new and existing cooperatives; 3) Provision of agricultural machinery and equipment and introduction of leasing operations for cooperatives; and 4) Development of post-harvest pre-processing and marketing capacities of cooperatives.
INCOME GENERATION
AREGAK
AREGAK is UMCOR's sustainable Guaranteed Agriculture Assistance for Women. Its acronym means "sun" in Armenian. This innovative program raises the living standards of poor women and their families in rural and urban areas, through providing financial services. Established in 1997, AREGAK has 27 offices countrywide and serves over 21,000 active clients.
HEALTH
Pharmaceutical Distribution
The Pharmaceutical Distribution Project provides access to free pharmaceuticals and medical supplies to 150,000 vulnerable persons in rural and urban areas across Armenia. Since its inception in 1994, UMCOR Armenia has distributed approximately USD 20 million worth of medicines, medical supplies, school kits, health kits, and quilts to primary healthcare facilities and charitable organizations that serve refugees, the elderly, children, pensioners, and other socially vulnerable groups. Moreover, UMCOR renovates the existing rural health facilities to insure proper conditions for providing quality health care services to the population.
Cheese Distribution
Under the Cheese Distribution Program, about 6,816 Armenians living in 58 institutions such as orphanages, special schools, retirement centers and mental hospitals receive at least 40 grams of nutrient-rich cheese every other day, improving their prospects for good health. This is an increase of 993 beneficiaries and 10 additional institutions from the previous year.
HIV/AIDS
UMCOR Armenia is combating the spread of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and sexually transmitted infections in Armenia through raising awareness in local communities of the diseases, increasing access to screenings and treatment from mobile medical units, and training local healthcare practitioners. Additionally, UMCOR trains local volunteers to educate their communities about the diseases and to encourage people to be screened and to receive treatment.
ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Protecting Survivors of Trafficking
In partnership with the United Nations Development Program and in coordination with the Government of Armenia, UMCOR Armenia implements an anti-human trafficking program. UMCOR assists persons who have been trafficked with a safe environment and reintegration back into society, as well as provides medical services, psychosocial support, employment, and legal counseling. In addition to providing support to survivors, UMCOR combats further human trafficking by training border guards how to detect and assist populations at-risk for trafficking, operating a telephone hotline for people to get more information, and conducting public education and outreach activities.
Law Enforcement Training Program
UMCOR also has a program that works specifically with law enforcement. It is funded by the US Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. This program expands UMCOR’s reach in the border patrol community to promote a better understanding of the issues related to human trafficking and imparting knowledge of human rights principles as they apply to assisting people who have been trafficked. UMCOR cooperates with the State Police Department of the Republic of Armenia and civil society actors to better tailor the project to meet gaps in identification, assistance and referrals for people who have been trafficked.
Up to 100 frontline police offices will receive general training in this program and up to 15 police officers will be taught to train others. The main goal of this program is to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement to appropriately respond to human trafficking.
PARTNERS IN OUR WORK
UMCOR Armenia works with a variety of partners to make our work possible. In addition to the private funds we receive through The United Methodist Church we also receive support from the following:
Foods Resource Bank
Norwegian Church Aid
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
UN Development Program
United Methodist Global AIDS Fund
US Department of Agriculture
US Department of State
US Agency for International Development
