"Fear is in our hearts: whenever it rains, we rush outside to check if the river has flooded."
Published: Sep 18, 2024 Reading time: 3 minutesNatural disasters are unpredictable and often uncontrollable, leading to large-scale destruction and loss of life. Unlike wars, which are driven by human factors, disasters strike without warning. This year's spring floods did not spare northern Armenia. On May 25-26, the flooding of the Debed, Aghstev, and Tashir rivers caused significant damage to several settlements in the Lori and Tavush regions.
In response to the floods and the immediate needs of those affected, People in Need, with support from the British Start Network Foundation, along with ACTED and the Lore Rescue Team, launched a program to assist flood-impacted communities in the Lori and Tavush regions. The support provided by People in Need included two types of vouchers, totaling 52 million AMD: 200 vouchers worth 200,000 AMD each for household equipment, and 300 vouchers worth 40,000 AMD each for hygiene and household items.
Sanahin Station, located in the Alaverdi community, is one of the settlements hit hardest by the flood. According to Armenia's Ministry of Internal Affairs, a total of 445 people were evacuated from the Lori and Tavush regions, with 137 of them coming from Sanahin Station. Sirush and Hasmik are among the displaced residents there. When we spoke with them, their stories echoed each other: both lived on the ground floor and were at home during the flood. In their own words, they had never seen anything like it in all their lives.
Sixty-six-year-old Sirush, who has lived in Alaverdi for 39 years, could hardly believe what she witnessed.
The flood severely damaged the entire house, leaving only the refrigerator in working condition.
Having many years of experience in a preventive disinfection company in Alaverdi, Sirush immediately began disinfecting and cleaning the house on her own.
By the time others were just starting the cleanup, her home was already past that stage. As she proudly mentioned, “the house didn’t even smell damp.”
With the support she received, Sirush was able to buy some household appliances, including a gas stove, vacuum cleaner, and iron, as well as household items like curtains, bedding, and a bedspread, which helped offset some of the damage.
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Hasmik's story is nearly the same, with just one small difference: her 11-year-old daughter had just fallen asleep when they realized the house was filling with water.
They couldn't save anything. "We all managed to grab our phones," Hasmik says with a smile, trying to lighten the situation. For the first month, they lived in her mother-in-law's house, then in a hotel, until they were able to rent the top floor of the same building. Now, they are working to renovate their home so they can move back as soon as possible. The Debed River flows right in front of the building. "Fear is in our hearts: whenever it rains, we rush outside to check if the river has flooded," Hasmik remarks.
With the vouchers they received, they bought a washing machine and hygiene supplies. Right now, any help is valuable, as they lost everything in just one day.
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As part of the "Rebuilding Lives: Humanitarian Aid for Flood-Affected Tavush and Lori Provinces" project, implemented by People in Need with financial support from the British Start Network Foundation, 399 families received assistance. The aid included vouchers for household appliances, hygiene products, and other essential items, enabling affected residents to purchase basic necessities.