Strengthening Community Resilience

Building Strong Foundations for Disaster Risk Management

The project is helping communities in Armenia’s southern regions anticipate, prepare for, and effectively respond to emergencies. Through a participatory approach, the project has empowered local governments, civil society organisations (CSOs), and community members to take ownership of disaster risk management (DRM) processes.

Fully functional Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Community Councils were established in both Yeghegnadzor and Yeghegis. These councils now serve as coordination platforms, bringing together representatives of local authorities, CSOs, and members of the community to jointly plan, coordinate, and monitor preparedness efforts.

Complementing these structures, comprehensive DRM Plans were developed for both communities guided by the findings of the Local Level Risk Management (LLRM) Assessment conducted by the ARNAP Foundation. The DRM plans provide an evidence-based roadmap for managing community-specific hazards and strengthening long-term resilience.

In Goris, a DRM Resource Mapping exercise was completed, offering local authorities a detailed overview of available resources, potential hazards, and recommended mitigation actions. The resulting report is already informing planning and resource allocation for risk management at the municipal level.

Early Warning Systems: Saving Lives Through Timely Alerts

Recognising that effective early warning is the first line of defence in emergencies, we installed 41 Early Warning Systems (EWS) across 17 localities in Yeghegnadzor and Yeghegis. These provide real-time coverage for approximately 24,000 people, enabling communities to receive timely alerts in case of floods, fires, conflict escalation or other emergencies.

The operational capacity of the systems was verified through real-time testing conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Rescue Service who confirmed interoperability between local control units and national alert systems. This marks a significant milestone in Armenia’s broader DRM efforts.

Enhancing Community Readiness Through Resources and Capacity Building

To further strengthen community resilience, a comprehensive package of Non-Food Items (NFIs) was distributed to seven public shelters and safe spaces in six localities across the selected communities. Equipment included power generators, flashlights, spades, crowbars, and candles, enabling communities to maintain functionality during power outages and emergencies.

At the same time, capacity development activities equipped local actors with the practical knowledge and tools needed to respond effectively to disasters.

Through a series of training, we brought local authorities and CSO representatives from the Vayots Dzor region together, and focused on disaster risk management, coordination, crisis communication, and community-based preparedness.

In parallel, we developed educational materials and guidelines on organising and conducting emergency drills. We also provided training for school and kindergarten administrators, development centre staff, and cultural institution managers. This ensures that emergency exercises can be implemented independently and in line with national safety standards.

Institutional Strengthening and Multi-Stakeholder Coordination

Beyond community-level engagement, we contributed to strengthening institutions at the regional and national levels.

We facilitated the first official meeting of the DRM Monitoring and Evaluation Thematic Group, where a detailed Terms of Reference and Plan of Action were developed. This group enhances collaboration among key stakeholders and ensures that community-level initiatives align with Armenia’s national DRM strategies and frameworks.

The project’s outcomes reflect impressive achievements across multiple performance indicators:

• Goris, Yeghegis, and Yeghegnadzor communities established operational DRM mechanisms;
• 78 individuals were trained in disaster preparedness and DRM;
• 24,000 residents gained access to enhanced EWS coverage;
• 20 CSOs actively participated in DRM coordination, doubling the original target.

These figures clearly demonstrate our wide-reaching impact and the collective effort invested in strengthening Armenia’s resilience.

Towards a Safer, More Prepared Armenia

The Emergency Preparedness Activity in the South of Armenia stands as a testament to how targeted investment, technical expertise, and community participation can transform local resilience. Through the joint commitment of PIN and local authorities, the foundations for a more coordinated, responsive, and risk-informed system have been laid in Vayots Dzor and Syunik.

As a result, thousands of residents now live in communities that are better prepared to respond to emergencies and more capable of leading their own path toward sustainable resilience.

The Emergency Preparedness Activity project was initiated with funding from USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA). After the reduction in US funding, we continued this vital work through PIN’s Club of Friends Foundation.

Strengthening Community Resilience

Date: Nov 19, 2025   Place: Armenia   Author: PIN   

More