U.S. Government transfers disaster package to the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Armenia

On March 21 the U.S. Government transferred a Disaster Package designed to respond to natural and man-made disasters to the Ministry of Emergency Situations. The allocation is administered by Counterpart International, and the ceremony took place at the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) of Armenia. John A Heffern, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, Jerry Oberndorfer, Director of Humanitarian Programs, Office of the Coordination of U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia, and Armen Yeritsyan, Minister of Emergency Situations of Armenia, participated in the ceremony.

The Disaster Packages consist of sleeping bags, bedding, footwear, medical supplies, equipment and outfittings, field supplies valued at approximately $520 thousand.

Counterpart’s Community and Humanitarian Assistance Program (CHAP) has been funded by the U.S. Department of State since 2001. CHAP is a rapid response humanitarian distribution program that addresses critical needs of vulnerable population. Through the program, Counterpart International provides target groups with in-kind assistance such as clothing, bedding, footwear, hospital equipment, furniture, supplies, school furniture, hygiene and school kits, etc,. From conducting needs assessments to monitoring end-use, Counterpart acquires, stages, transports, receives, distributes and accounts for the use of donated items.

Since 2001, Counterpart CHAP/Armenia office has imported and distributed over $30 million worth of humanitarian assistance to more than 2 million vulnerable Armenians through its network of about 500 partner organizations.