The US humanitarian aid to be provided to Armenia this year will reduce by 17 percent, thereby dropping from $44.2 million in 2012 to $36.6 million.

The humanitarian assistance being provided to Azerbaijan likewise will reduce, but by 21.8 percent, and amount to $16.3 million against last year’s $20.8 million. 

But the format of the US assistance to Armenia will undergo a more radical change. In the case when the lion’s share of the previous such programs was geared toward the country’s economic development, no amount is envisioned this year for economy-related programs. Instead, two-thirds of this assistance—that is, $27.2 million—will be allocated to the cooperation programs with Armenia in the defense sector.

Overall, the US assistance to Armenia focuses on programs that aim to strengthen the country’s boundaries.