The Situation

Armenia is a landlocked country that is highly vulnerable to external shocks. Border closures with neighboring Turkey and Azerbaijan since Armenia’s independence in 1991 have constrained economic development. According to the latest National Statistical Service data, the poverty rate reached 27% in 2020, while WFP’s nationwide assessments conducted in April 2021 point to 21.4% of households being food insecure.

WFP's Work

In Armenia, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) supports the government and partners in their efforts to eradicate food insecurity and malnutrition in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and to implement the government of Armenia’s development agenda.

In 2020, WFP programs reached 130,802 Armenians. 1,873 MT of food was distributed and over $600,000 dollars transferred through cash-based assistance. For the first time after three decades, WFP also provided food assistance across Armenia to the most vulnerable people affected first by the pandemic and later by the conflict in the adjoining region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Today, WFP is providing hot meals to schoolchildren and conducting assessments of Armenia’s social protection system. In May 2022, WFP will also be supporting the introduction of school agricultural activities in the Gegharkunik province including greenhouses, berry gardens and intensive orchards. These assets will provide schoolchildren with nutritious food all year round.