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 theADRC. The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on themaps 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" was adopted on August 24, 1990, by the Supreme
Soviet of the Republic of 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 anational emblem of the Republic of Armenia. The national
flag of the Republic of Armenia is of three colors in stripes ofthe same width - red, blue, orange respectively from top tobottom. The Red emblematizes the Armenian Highland, theArmenianpeople'scontinued

struggleforsurvival,maintenance of the Christian faith, Armenia's independence
and freedom. The Blue emblematizes the will of the people ofArmenia to live beneath peaceful skies. The Orange
emblematizes the creative talent and hard-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 theone 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 theCoat of Arms of the First Armenian Republic (1918-1920)
designed by member of the Russian Academy of Fine Arts,
Architect Alexander Tamanian and artist Hakob Kojoyan.
Following the constitutional reform of November 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 of Armsof 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 is represented with Noah's Ark and the coatsof arms of the four royal dynasties of the historical Armenia:
from top to left - that of the Bargratunides, from top to right –that of the Arshakounides, from bottom to left - that ofArtashesides, 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, abundle of spikes, a chain and a ribbon pictured below theshield. Golden is the main color of the Coat of Arms of the
Republic of Armenia. The colors of the kingdoms of thehistorical Armenia are as follows: from top to left - red, from
top to right - blue, from bottom to left – blue, from bottom toright - 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.
Head of the State

President

Legislative power

one-chamber National Assembly

Official language

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

Capital

YerevanAdministrative and territorial unit Marz (11 Marzes in all including Yerevan city)

National currency

1.1 Geographical information

Dram (international currency code - AMD)

Territory

29.74 thousand square km (is comparable with
the

Neighboring countries

territory of Belgium or Albania)

north - Georgia
South - Iran
East - Azerbaijan
south-west - Nakhichevan (Azerbaijan)
west - Turkey

Average elevation above sea level1800 mThe highest peak

Aragats mountain - 4090 m

The lowest altitude

Debed river canyon - 380 m

The greatest extent

365 kmTime 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

3.2 Million, population of the capital - 1.1 Million

Ethnic breakdown

Armenians (98%), Russians, Yezidis, Kurds,
Assyrians, Greeks, Ukrainians, Jews andrepresentatives of other nationalities

Religion

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

St. Ejmiatsin (303 AD) , the Cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic Church andthe Residence of the Catholicos (Patriarch) of all Armenians

1.4 Historical Information

IV-III thousand years B.C.

origin of forearmenian tribal unions on the
territory of the Armenian Plateau

782 B.C.

establishment of Yerevan city

VI-V centuries B.C.

completion of the Armenian people's ethnic
forming on the Armenian Plateau territory anddevelopment of the Armenian language

189 B.C.

formation of independent Armenian state

301 A.D.

official acceptance by Armenia of Christianity asa state 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
and recovery 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 inWestern Armenia

1918

Armenian State system recovery in Eastern
Armenia-Declaration 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 of
Independence of the Republic of Armenia

1991

Armenia is a founding member of theCommonwealth of Independent States

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 ofEurope2002

Armenia enters into the World Trade
Organization (WTO)

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 In Armenia the earthquake disaster is the most harmful for people andproperty.
Armenia is located in a region where seismic activities are active.

Earthquakes

94%

Mudslides

3.15%

Landslides and rockfalls

1.2%

Floods0.15%

Irradiation

0%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 therecords of 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 is natural 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 than anywhere else. 17% funds of dwellings
were destroyed, the work of 170 industrial companies were halted, the great losses
were caused to villages and agro industrial complexes as well as to the architectural,
historical and cultural monuments, 917 public buildings were destroyed.

The rescue activities were systemized only two or three days later. From the firstsecond the earthquake strike, the population carried out restless rescuing works.
Anyhow the absence of their experience and sometimes the lack of basic knowledge on
actions in emergency caused real difficulties 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 and 12.5000 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 oflegislative, 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

Finance(RA Vice Prime Minister)Emergency Situations

Foreign Affairs

CultureHealthcare

DefenseJustice

Diaspora

Labor and Social Affairs

EconomyNature Protection

Education and Science

Sport and Youth Affairs

Agriculture
Transport and Communication
Energy and Natural Resources
Agencies by Government of RA
National Security Service
State Committee on Immovable Property
Cadastre
State Revenue CommitteeState Property Management Department
General Department of Civil Aviation
RA Police

3.2 Legal System and Framework

Armenia is prone to natural disasters. Eight out of every 10 persons face the probabilityof experiencing a natural disaster such as an earthquake, landslide or flooding. But

thanks to recent efforts of the Government, Armenia has shifted from reactive relief toproactive risk reduction.
Seismic Protection activities are regulated by a number of laws and legislative acts andnational 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
The complex program of seismic risk reduction in Yerevan city

1999
1999

The Resolution of the Government of RA on establishment of the list ofcritical important and general facilities in the field of seismic protection

2003

Regulation“Survey for Seismic Protection” Agency

2008

3.3 Structure of the Disaster Management

Armenia is located within a zone particularly prone to earthquakes and other natural
disasters like landslides 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 such competences as are vested in it by laws and otherlegal acts, develops, implements and coordinates RA government’s policy in the area ofcivil defense and protection of the population in emergency situations.

Ministry of Emergency Situations of RA
RescueSurvey for

Hydro-

National

AtmosphericState Of

Service

Seismic

meteorology

Technical

Phenomena

Emergency

Protection

andSafetyIn Active

Crisis(SSP)

Monitoring

CenterService

Management(takes various

State

ImpactAcademymeasures forServiceearthquake
disastermanagement)Since the day of its foundation the Armenian SSP made close links with internationalorganizations well known in the field of seismic hazard and seismic risk assessment andreduction, giving importance to the experience of these organizations and aiming toadjust it to local conditions.
Scientific and technical relations of the Armenian SSP:

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,
TurkeyUniversity 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.

ADRC-Armenia Cooperative Project
Training at the orphanages and nursing homes

There are 380 children and 175 staff, including guardians, mentors, nurses andtechnical workers, at the target Yerevan Mari Izmirlian and Kharberd (Ararat district)state orphanages.
There are 540 seniors and 275 staff, including psychologists, nurses and technicalworkers at Yerevan # 1 and Nork nursing homes.
Out of Plan training including lecturing and Q&A module has been provided to the staff(109 persons) and residents (up to 6 year old 61 children) of Kid’s Home which locatedin the Nork borough of the Yerevan-city. Thus, the Project has included all theorphanages of the city of Yerevan.

Training at the Yerevan Mari Izmirlian state orphanage

3.4 Survey for Seismic Protection (SSP)

Survey for Seismic Protection (SSP) was founded under the Government of the
Republic of Armenia on July 17, 1991. Armenian SSP is under the Ministry of
Emergency Situation.
The basic goal of SSP is Seismic Risk Reduction in Armenia:
Armenian SSP has developed two Strategic National Programs on "Seismic Risk
Reduction in Armenia" and "Seismic Risk Reduction in Yerevan-city". The
Programs, adopted by the Government 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, nonGovernmental 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 andimplementation.

The Armenian SSP Task Force members are: seismologist-seismotectonist seismologist
 geo-technician
 earthquake engineer


communication engineer

 public awareness expert
 Logistics, rescuer
Psychologist

The basic goal of SSP is Seismic Risk Reduction in Armenia
Seismic risk reduction Strategy includes:
 Seismic Hazard and Risk Assessment
 Vulnerability reduction in urban areas, including reinforcement and upgrading ofexisting buildings, 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

Department of seismic Risk Reduction

The department activities are mainly targeted at disaster risk reduction andmanagement, as well as develops laws and juridical acts of seismic protections field
and which activities includs population too.
The department implements public education for disaster risk reduction, socialpsychological research and education programs for development of knowledge about
the correct behavior before, during and after the earthquake.
The Department carries out social-psychological research, as well as processing
and psychological analysis of data. It also takes part in the cooperation with respective
services of foreign countries and with international companies, as well as in the processof development, implementation and introduction of the results of projects and soundscientific methods in the sphere of seismic protection.

The Centre of Activities with Population of SSP

The Centre of Activities with Population (CAP) consists of Departments of Education,
Methodology, as well as of Sociology and Psychology.
The Department of Education implements trainings on code of conduct of seismic
protection in schools of Yerevan and regions of Armenia according to an establishedschedule.

It

carriesout

instructional warning/alarm

drillsandexercisesforschoolchildren of different age groups. It also conducts lectures for the regional areas
officials of SSP.
The Department of Methodology performs development of educational programs onearthquakes for different segments of the population.
The Department of Sociology and Psychology where I am employed conducts socialpsychological research, sociological surveys, as well as processing and psychologicalanalysis of data. It also takes part in the cooperation with respective services of foreigncountries and with international companies, as well as in the process of development,
implementation and introduction of the results of projects and sound scientific methods
in the sphere of seismic protection. As the leading specialist of the Department of
Sociology and Psychology, social-psychological investigations are implemented by me,the goals of which are to reveal the level of cognitive and psychological preparedness
on earthquakes among different segments of population.

Disaster education at kindergartens and schools

Disaster education at companies and municipalities

4. Disaster Management Strategy, Policy, and Plan

Natural and technological hazards threatening Armenia urge the need of development
and strengthening 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 andprocesses 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 theBoard is Minister of Emergency Situations. The goal of the DRR NP is to establish amulti-spectral mechanism with involvement of all stakeholders.

MES of RA has established a Crisis Management Centers as the main body forplanning, co-coordinating and implementing measures related to natural and otherforms of disasters (complementary to a National Platform on Disaster developed incooperation with UNDP).

The main goal of "Seismic Risk Assessment and Risk Management Planning Project" isto reduce vulnerability to large-scale earthquakes in the capital city of Yerevan, where athird 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 response to recovery/reconstruction. This project wasstarted from August 2010 with the cooperation of the MES of RA.

Dencity of population according to the communities of Yerevan city

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
exposure and 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, statebodies, communities, civil society, scientific organizations, private sector, as well as themass 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 andcoordinated actions.

Together with the UNDP, MES of RA developed a national disaster risk reduction
strategy based on the Hyogo Framework of Action, a 10-year, UN-backed plan to makethe world safer from natural 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 Armenianearthquake 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 selfdiscretion to act properly in case of emergency. Real Time Information System on
Seismic Intensity was installed at the Risk Management Center of the MES of RA whichaims to promote disaster prevention actions of the citizens through publicity of disaster
information and to raise public awareness towards 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 basedon 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
Yerevan City
3. Formulation of Business Continuity Plan for MES RA.
6.2. Strengthening of National Disaster Preparedness and Risk Reduction
Capacities - II phase (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 of comprehensive disaster risk
reduction national strategy. Risk identification and assessment as well as its reduction
measures and further monitoring are considered as four major dimensions for thenational strategy formation. The project is aimed at strengthening of legal andinstitutional framework for disaster risk management in Armenia, including developmentof national disaster risk reduction strategy and enhancement of risk identification,assessment and monitoring system in Armenia.
Project activities include: National risk assessment and establishment of national data
observatory for disaster statistics; strengthening of legal and institutional framework andinter-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 thedisaster management system having a functional National Platform and DRR strategy
as a basis for sustainable development of the country. The project will continue to pay
special attention to gender sensitive issues in DRR.

7. References:

http://www.mes.am/en/
http://www.gov.am/en/structure/
http://president.am
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
http://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