NGO representative: Over 100,000 Artsakh residents at risk of losing their homes due to termination of support programs

ArmInfo. Over 100,000 Artsakh residents are at risk of losing their homes and therefore oppose the new support program and the termination of the current "40+10" thousand drams support starting from April 1. This was stated by Vladimir Grigoryan, Vice President of the "Generation of Hayk" NGO, at a press conference in Yerevan on March 19, touching upon the government's new program for social support of low-income families.

Referring to the new program proposed by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, which caused a negative reaction among Artsakh residents, Grigoryan explained that the residents of Artsakh are not against additional support measures, but perceive them as a replacement for the existing "40+10" thousand drams program. "This is due to the fact that the program was introduced just before the expected reduction of the 40+10 thousand dram support program from April 1," the NGO vice president explained.  In turn, Artsakh public figure Liana Petrosyan expressed confidence that the new program would create additional difficulties for refugees from Artsakh.

In this regard, Deputy Minister of Social Labor of Armenia Anna Zhamakochyan noted that she disagreed with all criticisms of the program, but didn't provide any opposing arguments. At the same time, touching on the 30,000 people who will no longer receive support, Zhamakochyan said: "Who said that those with a high income should receive assistance? Social assistance should be for those in need who are facing challenging life situations."