On September 6th, the USAID-supported Rapid Response Platform was officially inaugurated in Yerevan. The platform supports the Armenian Government in more effectively coordinating assistance to people in crisis. With USAID funding, the Government of Armenia has upgraded the Rapid Response Platform to more efficiently facilitate public assistance to families in need during disasters and crises.
“I believe that the upgraded platform will enhance social service delivery for affected populations during emergencies, improve data availability for informed decision-making, and increase overall readiness to respond effectively to crises,” said John Allelo, USAID/Armenia Mission Director, in his speech during the event.
This initiative promotes the planning and coordination of social protection services during emergencies. This modernized tool is a crucial part of the ongoing social protection sector reforms led by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.
“Our past experience has demonstrated that these tools are crucial for effective response. The emergency response platform ensures readiness for any situation, allowing private initiatives to assess available resources and allocate them confidently to serve people in need,” said Narek Mkrtchyan, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs.
The project is completed through the “Protection, Inclusion, and Empowerment” Activity, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and implemented by Democracy International. The Nork Technology Center developed and upgraded this digital platform.
The system is open and accessible, and serves:
- Individuals or Families who have experienced adverse situations within the last 72 hours, such as floods, hail, frost, hurricanes, high winds, earthquakes, landslides, collapses, fires, epidemics, pandemics, or isolation.
- Organizations and Individuals who wish to contribute resources to assist the Government of Armenia in providing support to people in need.
The rapid response platform also features a social support map, which provides access to support services available in the affected region.
