Solidarity with Armenia: one year of support
On October 3, Fondation de France, in partnership with France Télévisions, launched an appeal for donations to help people displaced to Armenia following the military offensive led by Azerbaijan against the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh last September. Thanks to the generosity of more than 3,800 donors, including individuals, companies and donor-advised funds, €581,000 has been raised to support nonprofits where it matters most.
One year after the start of the crisis, the vast majority of displaced people have been given shelter. With their basic needs met, the challenge now is to support displaced people over the long-term, helping them to rebuild their lives and settle in their host country.
Healing bodies and minds
In order to bring medical and psychological assistance to displaced people, Fondation de France is supporting a Médecins du Monde initiative which sets up medical and social service centers in the towns of Yerevan, Masis and Ashtarak. These centers offer comprehensive services for refugees and host country inhabitants: medical care, psychological support, sexual and reproductive health rights, etc.
Relieving the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is another crucial project supported by Fondation de France: NGO Commit Global has developed a dedicated “PTSD coach”, an application already used in Ukraine and Romania. The platform offers comprehensive, personalized psychosocial support to those displaced, tailored to their cultural and social backgrounds.
Contributing to food self-sufficiency
To support the displaced families, many of whom come from rural areas and have agricultural expertise, Fondation de France encourages the development of training programs and the supply of agricultural equipment and seeds, helping them to be food autonomous.
For example, in the village of Syunik in southern Armenia, NGO Fonds Arménien de France assists more than 300 refugee farmers to help them increase their yield. This requires better performing machines, training in improving farming practices, diversifying crops, and helping with the sales process. Their goals are to ensure food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
In the Tavush province in northeastern Armenia, NGO SHEN Arménie is rebuilding the irrigation network dating from the Soviet period to develop local farming, reinforce food security and provide 34 refugee families with an income.
NGO SHEN Armenia is rebuilding the irrigation network in the Tavush province.
Promoting social and professional integration
As a priority, Fondation de France has decided to promote social and professional integration for women and young people by supporting new professional opportunities, retail projects and better access to training.
The “Femmes en marche” (Women on the move) project developed by Solidarité Protestante France Arménie works to help 100 refugee women find professional integration for a one-year period. The objective is to offer them experience in a potential future career, with a particular focus on women from disadvantaged social backgrounds or those living with a disability, including war victims and those with physical disabilities. The NGO also works to change mindsets concerning women in the workplace in Armenia by shining a light on successful professional integration journeys.
The Impact Hub Armenia Social Innovation Development Foundation promotes social and economic integration for forcibly displaced and economically vulnerable young people and women in the urban and rural communities surrounding the enclaves of Yerevan and Goris. The nonprofit provides holistic support, including psychosocial care, professional training and return-to-work programs.
Reinforcing civil protection
Another key area of focus is preparing for the potential risks associated with the evolving conflict. Among the projects supported in this sector, NGO Armenia Peace Initiative (API) is implementing a two-year program to reinforce civil protection for vulnerable Armenian people. A team of civil volunteers trained on first-aid will be located in each of the 62 villages in the Tavush province. The project’s objectives are threefold: support citizens volunteering locally, support existing rescue and medical teams in first aid situations, and provide additional help to public authorities overseeing civil protection.
NGO Armenia Peace Initiative organizes first aid training in the Tavush province.
Supporting local microprojects
Together with the Agence française de développement (French Development Agency), Fondation de France also supports an international solidarity nonprofit, La Guilde, which calls for microprojects to meet the needs of displaced populations. Nine initiatives have been selected in six of the country’s regions in Shirak, Yerevan, Lori, Syunik, Tavush and Gegharkunik, with support for new professional opportunities, retail projects, training, art therapy, psychological support, and so on. For example, a program is underway in the Yerevan region to train around ten chefs in public catering. In the region of Gegharkunik, 180 people were trained on potato crops and were provided with seeds. The aim is to guarantee their food autonomy as well as income derived from sales and production. In the Lori region, refugees are provided with psychological support, while 180 pregnant women and young mothers, along with their 120 children and teens, are provided with care.
Cover photo: Alain Jocard / © AFP
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