ArmInfo.The Ministry of Labor and Social Security plans to allocate 500 million drams for inclusion of another 1000 families in the program "Phase Overcoming of Poverty". The Minister of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Zaruhi Batoyan stated this at a press conference today.
The meeting was attended by World Vision Director of Armenia Zhirair Edilyan and Executive Director of My Step Foundation Hovhannes Ghazaryan, who presented new approaches to overcoming poverty and the first positive results of work recorded in the framework of this program. Recall that according to the latest data from the Statistics Committee of 2017, the poverty level in Armenia was 25.7%, and extreme poverty was 1.4%.
<This month <World Vision Armenia> will assist us in retraining our employees, after which, if approved by the government, the ministry will allocate 500 million drams to include 1000 more families in the phase- out poverty program>, Batoyan said, noting the importance of so that social programs are implemented not only by public organizations, but also by state resources.
<Often we ask ourselves the question: why do not we carry out such programs with state support and why do not we turn them into state policy? If a public organization managed to achieve results with fewer resources, then why is it impossible to do this on a large scale and with a systematic approach? That is why we want to develop and implement new state programs. We are talking about programs that encourage work, the provision of opportunities, and the development of human capital. Unfortunately, there are not many such programs in the state system>, the minister emphasized.
<We want to offer a similar program implemented with state funding, in particular, in the field of livestock, the beneficiaries of which will be about 1000 families. In addition, throughout the year, long-term social assistance and consultations will be provided to families included in the program with the aim of developing the economy, managing and generating incomes, "Batoyan said.
She noted that the government's policy is focused on improving the targeted orientation and effectiveness of social assistance programs, as well as providing non-financial assistance to people in difficult situations, developing opportunities, providing services, social patronage, etc.
<We believe that having work is the main way to overcome poverty. Labor promotion and job creation also enshrined in the government program. Regarding the areas I have noted, we are pleased to apply the experience of World Vision Armenia>, and we will also make this approach a part of the policy aimed at overcoming poverty, "Batoyan concluded.
It should be noted that <World Vision Armenia> works with the most vulnerable children and their families, helping to improve their socio-economic situation and protect the rights of children. <Many years of World Vision experience allows us to argue that poverty is overcome, but this is not the business of one organization or structure. This can only be achieved through partnership, the active participation of all interested state and non-state parties, including families living in poverty. I am glad that today the Armenian government is leading this process, creating an opportunity for more people in need to overcome extreme poverty>, Director of World Vision of Armenia Zhirayr Edilyan said in his speech. It should be noted that in 2019 World Vision Armenia and the "My Step" Foundation, with the assistance of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, began work with 18 families on the verge of extreme poverty.
<Applying the program "Step-by-step overcoming poverty", as a result of which the socio-economic situation of these families has improved today, a number of health and domestic problems have been resolved, but most importantly, these families have regained their faith in their own strength. We have received thousands of applications on social issues and healthcare. We realized that our resources would not be enough even to satisfy a small part of them. We have studied the experience of international and local structures. We realized that the philosophy of philanthropy in the world has changed and it has been proven that one-time or periodic financial assistance does not have a long-term impact, is quickly depleted and does not allow to overcome extreme poverty. Thus, we found the verge of cooperation with World Vision Armenia, which for many years had tested various methodologies and came to this model, which has spread throughout the world and even became part of the state policy of some countries. According to this model, comprehensive tools are used in working with families and the development of an individual development program takes into account the characteristics and preferences of the family, allowing the use of more efficient resources, "said Hovhannes Ghazaryan, director of the" My Step "foundation, announcing that the program is in the near future <gradual poverty alleviation> will be introduced in Artsakh.