The UN World Food Programme (WFP) began this week providing assistance to 5,000 Syrian Armenians displaced from Syria who have sought protection in Armenia. The 6-month-assistance project is funded the government of the Russian Federation.

Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between WFP and the Diaspora Ministry, WFP will provide assistance to the Syrian Armenian population during the current transitional period as the Government of Armenia continues its efforts in integrating the Syrian population of Armenian descent, says a statement posted on WFP website.

“Syrian Armenians were once part of the thriving Armenian diaspora in Syria; many of them have lost their homes and livelihoods due to the conflict in Syria,” said WFP Head of Office in Armenia, Maria Lukyanova. “WFP food support will help address some of the basic needs of this group that has sustained multiple shocks over the previous two years and help to prevent negative coping strategies.”

Preparations for project implementation were done in collaborations with the Ministry of Diaspora, WFP and its UN partners, primarily the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), as well as civil organisations such as the Centrе for the Coordination of Syrian-Armenian Issues, Mission Armenia, the Armenian Relief Society and others provided information, human resources and technical support.