Country Report: Republic of Armenia

Ani Gevorgyan
Head of Complex Department for Seismic
Hazard Assessment,
Regional Survey for Seismic Protection,
Ministry of Emergency Situations,
Republic of Armenia,
TEL: (+374 93) 53 35 23,
Email: ani_gevorkjan@mail.ru

Disclaimer

This report was compiled by an ADRC visiting researcher (VR) from ADRC member countries.

The views expressed in the report do not necessarily reflect the views of the ADRC. The
boundaries and names shown and the designations used on the maps in the report also do not
imply official endorsement or acceptance by the ADRC.

REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

1. General Information

Official name

Republic of Armenia (RA), briefly – Armenia

Name in official language

Hayastani Hanrapetutyun, briefly – Hayastan

National flag

A The law 'On the State Flag of the Republic of Armenia" wasadopted on August 24, 1990, by the Supreme Soviet of the Republicof Armenia. Following the constitutional reform of November 27,
2005, a new RA law on the National Flag of the Republic of Armenia
was adopted on June 15, 2006. The national flag of the Republic of
Armenia is a national emblem of the Republic of Armenia. The
national flag of the Republic of Armenia is of three colors in stripesof the same width - red, blue, orange respectively from top tobottom. The Red emblematizes the Armenian Highland, theArmenian people's continued struggle for survival, maintenance of
the Christian faith, Armenia's independence and freedom. The Blueemblematizes the will of the people of Armenia to live beneathpeaceful skies. The Orange emblematizes the creative talent andhard-working nature of the people of Armenia. The width-length
ratio of the flag is 1/2. Smaller and larger pieces of cloth
proportionate to the one described in this section may be used people.

The Coat of Arms

The law 'On the State Coat of Arms of the Republic of Armenia"
was adopted on April 19, 1992, by the Supreme Soviet of the
Republic of Armenia. It is a rendition of the Coat of Arms of theFirst Armenian Republic (1918-1920) designed by member of theRussian Academy of Fine Arts, Architect Alexander Tamanian andartist Hakob Kojoyan. Following the constitutional reform ofNovember 27, 2005, a new RA law on the State Coat of Arms of the
Republic of Armenia was adopted on June 15, 2006. The Coat ofArms of the Republic of Armenia is a national emblem of the
Republic of Armenia. The Coat of Arms of the Republic of Armenia
is as follows: On a shield, positioned in the center, Mount Ararat isrepresented with Noah's Ark and the coats of arms of the four royaldynasties of the historical Armenia: from top to left - that of theBargratunides, from top to right – that of the Arshakounides, frombottom to left - that of Artashesides, from bottom to right - that of
the Rubenides. The shield is upheld by an eagle (on the left) and lion
(on the right). There is a sword, as well as a branch of a tree, a bundleof spikes, a chain and a ribbon pictured below the shield. Golden isthe main color of the Coat of Arms of the Republic of Armenia. The
colors of the kingdoms of the historical Armenia are as follows: from
top to left - red, from top to right - blue, from bottom to left – blue,
from bottom to right - red, with orange-painted Mount Ararat
positioned in the center on a shield. The foregoing colors
emblematize the colors of the national flag of the Republic of
Armenia.
The Anthem

The Anthem of the Republic of Armenia was adopted on July 1,
1991, by the Supreme Soviet of the Republic of Armenia. It is basedon the Anthem of the First Armenian Republic (1918-1920). RA
Law on the “Anthem of the Republic of Armenia” was adopted on
December 25, 2006. The Armenian national anthem is “Our
Fatherland”; lyrics by Michael Nalbandian, music by Barsegh
Kanachian.
Our Fatherland
Our Fatherland, free, independent,
That has lived for centuries,
Is now summoning its sonsTo the free, independent Armenia.
Here is a flag for you my brother,That I have sewed
Over the sleepless nights,
And bathed in my tears.
Look at it, tricoloured,
A valuable symbol for us.
Let it shine against the enemy.
Let Armenia be glorious forever.
Death is the same everywhere,
A man dies but once,
Blessed is the one who dies
For the freedom of his nation.

Head of the State

President

Legislative power

Unicameral National AssemblyOfficial language

Armenian (is part of Indo-European family of
languages)

Capital

YerevanAdministrative and territorial unit

Marz (total number of 10), communities (total
number of 502) Including: Urban: 49, in which
Yerevan with its 12 administrative districts

National currency

Dram (international currency code - AMD)

1.1 Geographical information

Territory

29.74 thousand square km (is comparable with theterritory of Belgium or Albania)

Neighboring countries

North - Georgia
South - Iran
East - Azerbaijan
South-West - Nakhichevan (Azerbaijan)
West – Turkey

Average elevation above sea level1800 m (76.5% of the republican territory is on theheight of 1000-2500 m above sea level)

The highest peak

Aragats mountain - 4090 m

The lowest altitude

Debed river canyon - 375 m

The greatest extent

from North-West to South-East comprises 360 km
from West to East 200 km 65 km

Time zone

Greenwich mean time + 4 hours

1.2 Climate information

Regionnorth latitudes of subtropics

Climatedry, continental

Average temperature

in January - -6.8°C, in July - +20.8°C

1.3 Demographic data
Population

3.0 Million

Ethnic breakdown

Armenians (98.1%), Russians, Yezidis, Kurds,
Assyrians,

Greeks,Ukrainians,

Jews

and

representatives of other nationalities
Religion

Christianity (Armenian Apostolic Church), professedby the vast majority of the population

1.4 Historical Information

IV-III thousand years B.C.

origin of fore Armenian tribal unions on the territoryof the Armenian Plateau

782 B.C.

establishment of Yerevan city

VI-V centuries B.C.

completion of the Armenian people's ethnic formingon the Armenian Plateau territory and development of
the Armenian language

189 B.C.

formation of independent Armenian state301 A.D.

official acceptance by Armenia of Christianity as astate religion

405 A.D.

creation by Mesrop Mashtots of the Armenian
Alphabet - the basis of written language

428 A.D.

partition of Armenia between Rome and Persia

VII century

Armenia is in the power of Arabs

884 A.D.

liberation of the northwestern part of Armenia andrecovery of Armenian State system

1080-1375

Armenian State system established in Kilikia(Mediterranean area)

1639

partition of Armenia between Turkey (Western
Armenia) and Persia (Eastern Armenia)

1828

Eastern Armenia joins Russia

1915

deportation and genocide of Armenians in Western
Armenia

1918

Armenian State system recovery in Eastern ArmeniaDeclaration of the Republic of Armenia

1920

establishment of the Soviet rule in Armenia

1922-1991

Armenia is a part of the USSR

1991

collapse

of

the

USSR

and

declaration

Independence of the Republic of Armenia

of

1991

Armenia is a founding member of the Commonwealthof Independent States

1991

Armenia is a member of the CIS

1992

Armenia is a member of the OSCE

1992

Armenia is a member of the Collective Security
Treaty Organization

1992

Armenia is a member of the International Monetary
Fund

1992

Armenia is a member of the Organization of the BlackSea Economic Cooperation (BSEC)

1992

Armenia became a member of the World Bank

1992

Armenia is a member of the U.N.O.

1999

Signing of partnership agreement between Armenia
and the European Union

2001

Armenia is a full member of the Council of Europe

2003

Armenia enters into the World Trade Organization
(WTO)

2012

The Republic of Armenia is a full member of theInternational Organization of Francophonie

2017

The Republic of Armenia and European Union
concluded Comprehensive and enhanced partnershipagreement.

2. Natural Hazards

2.1. Natural Hazards likely to affect the country

Armenia is one of the most disaster prone countries in the world (except the sea disasters), but inArmenia the earthquake disaster is the most harmful for people and property. Among various typesof disasters, main hazard for the territory of Armenia is the earthquake-94%, and only 6% isanother hazards.
Armenia is located in a region where seismic activities are active.

2.2. Recent Major Disaster
Spitak (1988）
Destructive Earthquake
December 7, 1988 at 7.41.22.7 GMT (11.41.22.7 local time). The epicenter by the recordsof seismographs has the following coordinates: latitude 40.92°N, longitude 44.23°E. The depth of
the hypocenter, measured by various methods and means, varies from 2.5km to 10-15km. It isnatural as the earthquake source as a spatial. The magnitude of the earthquake was 7.0. The
intensity at the epicenter was 10 value on MSK-64 intensity scale.
The earthquake hit 40 % of the territory of Armenia, densely populated region with 1 ml
people. The affected area, where the intensity of the earthquake was > 8, involved 30002 km area.
21 towns and 342 villages were destructed, 514 000 people were left without shelter, 20 000 people
were injured and 12 500 people were hospitalized. Number of victims was about 25 000.

Particularly in Gyumri (15 000-17 000) and in Spitak (4 000) number of victims was more thananywhere else. 17% funds of dwellings were destroyed, the work of 170 industrial companies werehalted, the great losses were caused to villages and agro industrial complexes as well as to thearchitectural, historical and cultural monuments, 917 public buildings were destroyed.

The rescue activities were systemized only two or three days later. From the first second theearthquake strike, the population carried out restless rescuing works. Anyhow the absence of theirexperience and sometimes the lack of basic knowledge on actions in emergency caused realdifficulties for the efficiency of rescue operations. Even there were cases when the public
unawareness brought to life losses. Also there was a need of rescue equipment. With the efforts of
population and the rescuers 45.000 dead or alive people were brought out from the rubble and12.5000 people were hospitalized.

3. Disaster Management System

3.1 Administrative System

Chair Person: President(Oversee the observance of the Constitution, shall ensure the natural functioning of legislative,
executive and judicial powers.)
Vice Chairman: Prime minister(Oversee the Government's regular activities and coordinate the work of the Ministers)
Government of RA（Executive power is vested in the Government of the Republic of Armenia）

Territorial Administration and Infrastructure

EconomyEmergency Situations

Foreign Affairs

DefenseHealthFinance

Justice

Environment

Labor and Social Affairs

Education, Science, Culture and Sport

High-Tech Industry

Internal Affairs
Bodies under the Government
Cadastre Committee

Education Inspectorate

Environmental Protection and Mining
Inspection Body of the Republic of Armenia
Health and labor Inspection body of the
Republic of Armenia
Nuclear Safety Committee

Food Safety Inspectorate

Market Surveillance Inspection Body
Statistics Committee
Urban Development, Technical Standards and Fire

State Revenue Committee

Safety Inspectorate

Urban Development Committee
Bodies under the Prime Minister
National Security Service

State supervision service of RA

3.2 Legal System and Framework
Armenia is prone to natural disasters. Eight out of every 10 persons face the probability ofexperiencing a natural disaster such as an earthquake, landslide or flooding. But thanks to recent
efforts of the Government, Armenia has shifted from reactive relief to proactive risk reduction.
Seismic Protection activities are regulated by a number of laws and legislative acts and national
programs of the Republic of Armenia:

Law of Republic of Armenia
The Law of the Republic of Armenia on Seismic Protection

2002

Resolutions of Government
The Complex Program of Seismic Risk Reduction in the Territory of Armenia

1999

The complex program of seismic risk reduction in Yerevan city

1999

Regulation
Regional Survey for Seismic Protection

2017

Other normative documents, regulating organization of seismic protection have been also
developed. Some of them are as follows: а) New seismic building codes; b) Principles of Seismic
Microzoning; c) Instruction on conducting of observations in seismic, geophysical and otherstations; d) The procedure of the expert analysis and providing the information about earthquake
threat to the Government of RА.

3.3 Structure of the Disaster Management
Armenia is located within a zone particularly prone to earthquakes and other natural disasters likelandslides and floods frequently occurring on a small scale. Ministry of Emergency Situations of
the Republic of Armenia is a republican body of executive authority, which in line with suchcompetences as are vested in it by laws and other legal acts, develops, implements and coordinates
RA government’s policy in the area of civil defense and protection of the population in emergency
situations. Objectives of the MES:•

To establish and vest governmental policy in Civil Protection and enhance the country’s
preparedness level;•

Co-ordinate and organize Civil Protection system activities;•

Organize governmental expertise in solutions and projects concerning objects andprocesses as possible causes of emergencies;•

The consequences of emergencies; prepare for possible consequences; establish, provide
and implement Civil Protection programs;•

Organize government control over the secured implementation of industrial activities
concerning civil protection and the utilization of mineral resources;•

Organize and implement preparedness in government administrations, local selfgovernment bodies and the administrative staff of organizations, to promote stableactivities in the civil protection system in emergencies, and the training of professional
personnel;•

Participate, organize and co-ordinate rehabilitation and rescue activities in emergencies andthe invention of corresponding forces for that purpose. Promote co-operation between
governmental, departmental (administrational) and public rescue organizations;•

Organize and provide resources for international co-operation in civil protection problems.

Ministry of Emergency Situations of RA
RescueRegional Survey

Agency for

National

Russian-State Of

Servicefor Seismic

StateTechnical

Armenian

Emergency

Protection (RSSP)Reserves

SafetyHumanitarian

CrisisCenterResponse

Management

CenterAcademy(takes various
measures forearthquake disastermanagement)

Since the day of its foundation the Armenian RSSP made close links with internationalorganizations well known in the field of seismic hazard and seismic risk assessment and reduction,
giving importance to the experience of these organizations and aiming to adjust it to local
conditions.
Scientific and technical relations of the Armenian RSSP:
Institution/Organization
US Geological Survey
European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, France
International Institute of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering, IranGeoforscungsZentrum-Postdam, Germany
Geophysical Survey of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Japan Meteorological Agency

Institute for the Physics of the Earth RAS
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Seismic Monitoring Center of Georgia
Asian Disaster Reduction Center
Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute, Istanbul, Turkey
University of Athens, Greece
Japan International Cooperation Agency
National Institute of Geophysics, Rome, Italy
Kazakhstan National Data Center, Institute of Geophysical Researchand other institutions working in the field of seismic risk assessment and seismic risk reduction.
3.4 Regional Survey for Seismic Protection (RSSP)
Regional Survey for Seismic Protection (RSSP) was founded under the Government of the
Republic of Armenia on July 17, 1991. Armenian RSSP is under the Ministry of Emergency
Situation.
The basic goal of RSSP is Seismic Risk Reduction in Armenia.
Armenian RSSP has developed two Strategic National Programs on "Seismic Risk Reduction in
Armenia" and "Seismic Risk Reduction in Yerevan-city". The Programs, adopted by theGovernment of the Republic of Armenia on the 10th and 7th of July in 1999 are designed for 30
years. All the Ministries and other Governmental, non-Governmental and private organizations
will implement these National Programs under the general co-ordination of Armenian SSP
assigned by the Government as a responsible body for the Seismic Risk Reduction Strategy
development and implementation.
Seismic risk reduction Strategy includes:•

Seismic Hazard and Risk Assessment•

Vulnerability reduction in urban areas, including reinforcement and upgrading of existingbuildings, design of new codes and standards

•

Public awareness, people education and training•

Early warning and notification•

Partnership establishment, involving public and private organizations•

Risk management, including Emergency Response and Rescue Operations•

Disaster relief and people rehabilitation•

Insurance•

State disaster Law and regulations

The Armenian RSSP is consists into 4 professional centers, according to the main goals և
research directions.
•

Seismic Hazard Assessment Center•

Earthquake Engineering Center•

National Observation Networks•

Center of Work with Population.

The Armenian RSSP carries out all seismic risk reduction related studies including geophysics,
geology, geochemistry, geodesy and earthquake engineering, sociology, psychology, etc.
The Armenian RSSP has significant achievements in the field of seismic risk reduction. The mainof them are the following:•

Seismic Hazard Assessment. The maps of Seismic Hazard Assessment (SHA). The last
SHA map was compiled and approved in 2017:•

Current Seismic Hazard Assessment. A unique multi-parameter network has been
established. It consists of 140 monitoring stations performing round-the-clock dataacquisition and analysis via satellites.

•

Seismic Risk Assessment. The new methods for seismic risk quantitative assessment,
based on the main seismic risk assessment factors (such as seismic hazard level, population
density and buildings' vulnerability) have been elaborated.

•

Reinforcement of existing buildings and structures. New methods for increasing theearthquake resistance of existing buildings and structures have been developed,
successfully tested and implemented into practice.

•

New building codes. The Armenian RSSP took part in creation of the first nationalbuilding codes for Armenia, which are in good accordance with the international standards
and requirements.

•

Public Education. The Center for Public Education and Training has been established in
Armenian RSSP. Educational system based on knowledge dissemination through mass
media, TV Programs have been developed.

•

State disaster Law and regulations. Numerous normative documents, regulatingorganization of seismic protection have been developed. Example: The Law on Seismic
Protection has been adopted by the Parliament in 2002.

4. Disaster Management Strategy, Policy, and Plan
Natural and technological hazards threatening Armenia urge the need of development andstrengthening of DRR system in Armenia. This process implies involvement of all the potential of
the country, which can be achieved through elaboration of Disaster Risk Reduction National
Platform (DRR NP). DRR system is a framework of functions and processes with the aim to reduce
population’s vulnerability to disaster risks. It is aimed at prevention or reduction of negative
impacts of hazards and contributes to sustainable development of the society. Fund for DRR NP
was established in 2010. The Head of the Board is Minister of Emergency Situations. The goal of
the DRR NP is to establish a multi-spectral mechanism with involvement of all stakeholders.
MES of RA has established a Crisis Management Centers as the main body for planning, cocoordinating and implementing measures related to natural and other forms of disasters(complementary to a National Platform on Disaster developed in cooperation with UNDP).
The main goal of "Seismic Risk Assessment and Risk Management Planning Project" is to reduce
vulnerability to large-scale earthquakes in the capital city of Yerevan, where a third of the country's
population is concentrated, by providing assistance in preparing risk management plans which
cover all viewpoints surrounding disaster management cycle from prevention, emergency responseto recovery/reconstruction. This project was started from August 2010 with the cooperation of the
MES of RA.

5. Progress of the implementation of Hyogo Framework for action (HFA)
Armenia is at high risk of natural and technological hazards, owing to high levels of exposureand vulnerability.
There are many issues and concerns in the country, which increase the vulnerability andexposure of the Armenian population to the above mentioned hazards. These include:
1. Need of a Comprehensive approach to Disaster Risk Reduction.
2. Absence of DRR strategy.
3. Imperfection of DRR legislative field.
4. Lack of clarity in roles and responsibilities of DRR stakeholders.
5. Poor coordination among various stakeholders in DRR sector.
6. Insufficient level of cooperation in DRR sector.
7. Agency interests are a priority.
8. Insufficient level of knowledge and education in DRR sector.
9. Imperfection of awareness raising process.
10. Inefficient use of resources.
11. Insufficient level of analytical capacities.
12. Absence of DRR common methodology.
13. Imperfection of monitoring system in DRR.
14. Lack of comprehensive understanding of DRR in the development perspective.
15. Need of multi-stakeholder partnership on DRR.
The national platform states that DRR implies joined actions by the Government, state bodies,
communities, civil society, scientific organizations, private sector, as well as the mass media.
DRR NP in Armenia is a structure elaborated and administered by the country with the
involvement of stakeholders. It aims to promote DRR implementation at all levels, coordinate,analyze and consult in main sectors which require joined, participatory and coordinated actions.
Together with the UNDP, MES of RA developed a national disaster risk reduction strategy basedon the Hyogo Framework of Action, a 10-year, UN-backed plan to make the world safer fromnatural hazards. The strategy will promote the further institutionalization and sustainability of the
DRR system in Armenia.

6. Recent Major Projects on Disaster Risk Reduction

6.1. The Real Time Seismic Intensity Display System (Joint MES of RA- Japan
International Cooperation Agency (JICA) project)Based on Japanese earthquake experiences, JICA has been supporting Armenian earthquake
disaster prevention through "Seismic Risk Assessment and Risk Management Planning Project"
by utilizing Japanese technology.
One of the project goals is to formulate a system for citizens to use their own self-discretion to act
properly in case of emergency. Real Time Information System on Seismic Intensity was installedat the Risk Management Center of the MES of RA which aims to promote disaster prevention
actions of the citizens through publicity of disaster information and to raise public awarenesstowards disaster prevention. The demonstration of the system was made in the presence of the
Minster of Emergency Situations and project counterparts. Based on a lesson from the Great East
Japan Earthquake on the importance of citizens' capability for proper evacuation actions based on
their own decision, the project also focuses on awareness raising activities for citizens.
MES of Armenia develops following plans:
1. Formulation of Earthquake Disaster Management Plan for Yerevan City
2. Formulation of Evacuation Plan based on Earthquake Disaster Management Plan for YerevanCity
3. Formulation of Business Continuity Plan for MES RA.

6.2. Strengthening of National Disaster Preparedness and Risk Reduction Capacities - IIphase (Joint MES of RA- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Armenia
project)

The project second phase is a continuation of the implementation plan contained in the Programme
Framework for Strengthening of National Disaster Management Capacities, developed jointly by
UNDP and Armenian Government in 2007. The project provides support in strengthening of legal
and institutional framework for disaster risk management in Armenia, including development ofcomprehensive disaster risk reduction national strategy. Risk identification and assessment as wellas its reduction measures and further monitoring are considered as four major dimensions for thenational strategy formation. The project is aimed at strengthening of legal and institutionalframework for disaster risk management in Armenia, including development of national disasterrisk reduction strategy and enhancement of risk identification, assessment and monitoring system
in Armenia.

Project activities include: National risk assessment and establishment of national data observatoryfor disaster statistics; strengthening of legal and institutional framework and inter-agency
coordination for disaster management in Armenia.
Expected Results
Disaster Risk Reduction project implementation will contribute to strengthening of DRR
capacities of the country and more systematized coordination and management of the disastermanagement system having a functional National Platform and DRR strategy as a basis forsustainable development of the country. The project will continue to pay special attention to gendersensitive issues in DRR.

7. References:
http://www.mes.am/en/
http://www.gov.am/en/structure/https://www.president.am/en/
http://maps.unomaha.edu/peterson/funda/MapLinks/Armenia/Armenia.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Armenia
http://armneianpages.com
http://www.jica.go.jp/english/news/press/2012/120605.html
http:/undp.org
https://www.adrc.asia/countryreport/ARM/2017/Armenia_CR2017A.pdf
https://www.adrc.asia/countryreport/ARM/2010/ARMENIA_CR2010B.pdf
http://www.preventionweb.net/english/hyogo/progress/reports/index.php?o=pol_year&o2=DESC&ps=50&hid=0&cid=8&x=1&y=4

26.01.2023