Attachments
In Numbers
860 people assisted in January 2025
9 bakeries received renovation materials
USD 2.9 m six months (February – July 2025) net funding requirements
Operational Updates
• WFP is promoting the use of wholegrain wheat bread as part of the National School Feeding programme and in local markets by strengthening the capacities of wholegrain value chain actors, specifically targeting bakeries and schools. In January, nine bakeries (seven in Lori, one in Kotayk, and one in Armavir) received renovation materials from WFP. From February onward, WFP will provide these bakeries with necessary baking equipment and solar stations, while continuing to build the capacity through training sessions for bakery staff, school staff, students, and parents in wholegrain bread production. This initiative was initially piloted in Armavir and Kotayk provinces and was scaled up in Lori province in 2025. As a result, over 17,500 schoolchildren will receive wholegrain bread as part of their daily school meals in Lori province, this includes 7,500 schoolchildren who have been consuming wholegrain bread in Lori province starting from 2022.
• As part of the “Socio-Economic Integration of Refugees in Armenia” (SEIRA) project, WFP developed Standard Operating Procedures for the selection of schools, smallholder farmers, and bakeries by WFP.
The project started in Gegharkunik and Vayots Dzor provinces, covering the communities of Gavar, Vardenis,
Chambarak, and Jermuk. Implementation will expand to Syunik province, covering Sisian and Goris, by the end of 2025. During the reporting period, WFP selected the schools that will receive solar stations to establish revolving funds. The selection process for farmers and bakeries is ongoing. Farmers will receive climateadaptive agricultural inputs and training to establish backyard berry gardens, thereby improving their livelihoods and creating income-generating opportunities. Bakeries will receive assets and equipment to enhance their operational capacity for wholegrain production.
• To enhance resilience and improve food security in the Nerkin Hand community, WFP supported the establishment of a community-based revolving fund and assisted ten smallholder farmers with the installation of modular greenhouses. As part of this initiative, participant farmers received training on the establishment and maintenance of modular greenhouses and sustainable agricultural practices.
• In January, WFP signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Yerevan State Medical University to collaborate within the framework of the “Milk to Schools” project, which aims to promote healthy dietary habits among schoolchildren. WFP is assessing the project through an experimental study designed to collect data on students' height, weight, concentration, memory, academic performance, and attendance. In addition, WFP will support students by offering consultations about the project and will provide access to project data. In January, a baseline survey, conducted among 1,000 schoolchildren revealed that a significant number of schoolchildren experience hunger throughout the school day: 9 percent start the day hungry, 10 percent eat by the first break, and 49 percent by lunch. Half of the surveyed schoolchildren feel positively about the milk. In January after the season’s holidays, as part of the “Milk to Schools” project, 850 schoolchildren from grades five to nine across nine schools in Lori province and Yerevan received a daily cup of milk.