One person is dead and five hundred households
are severely affected as a result of massive flooding in several villages
of Tavush region in north-east Armenia. The four rivers of Tavush overflowed
due to thawing of excessive amounts of snow in the mountains after abrupt
changes in temperatures this month.
Pending official assessment, the flood
damage bill is estimated to have exceeded one million US dollars. According
to the local Department for Emergency Preparedness, residential houses,
auxiliary structures, engineering constructions, energy, gas and water
supply facilities, communications and agricultural land plots were affected
by the flooding. Also, one of the main highways to Ijevan, Tavush's capital
has collapsed and several bridges were completely destroyed, leaving some
remote areas inaccessible.
Over 50% of Tavush World Vision Area Development Programme (ADP) communities are among the villages severely affected by the flooding. In Aygehovit, Tsakhkavan, Getahovit, Lousadzor and many other villages, the irrigation and water system has been damaged, a significant amount of livestock killed, electricity and gas supply interrupted, and vineyards and fruit gardens destroyed. In the villages where the majority of families survive on subsistence farming, the floods have completely wiped out people's hopes for a plentiful harvest this year and increased their worries about providing enough food for the children.
The villagers are especially concerned about their destroyed beehives, as honey production is one of the most profitable sources of income in the Tavush region. "The amount of honey will significantly decrease due to the flooding and thus the production will not bring the expected income as it was planned by the villagers," Gohar Minasyan, Tavush ADP Manager says.
World Vision Armenia is urgently seeking $25,000 in order to intervene in this emergency situation to help families affected by the flooding. Drinking and irrigation water system renovation, as well as new water pumps necessary for the proper irrigation of the fields during the upcoming summer season are priority areas highlighted by the communities. Over 11,000 people, 1,700 households, will benefit from the repaired irrigation and drinking water systems in the villages ravaged by the flooding. "Without WV Armenia's intervention, the food security and drinking water situation in this region will be endangered as the population will have nothing to rely on until the next harvest season in 18 months," David Thomson, WV Armenia National Director says.
In response to the emergency, WV Armenia is providing clothing and personal hygiene items to the value of $5200 to more than 800 villagers in Tavush region.