YEREVAN. –  An event dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Save the Children was held in Yerevan on Tuesday.

The event brought together Emergency Situations Minister Armen Yeritsyan, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern, Deputy Labor Minister Jemma Baghdasaryan, MP Ara Babloyan, representatives of international and Armenian NGOs.

In his opening speech, Minister Yeritsyan thanked organization for their work in Armenia.

“You are doing serious job in Armenia. We are next to you and will confidently move forward,” he said.

In turn Ambassador Heffern thanked the organization and its members for the job they are doing in Armenia, as well as  Minister Yeritsyan for making the building of Emergency Situations Ministry available for people in wheelchairs. 

Jemma Baghdasaryan also took the floor, noting that Save the Children implemented numerous projects aimed at protecting the rights of children and improving living conditions.

Save the Children has been operating in Armenia since 1993. In the past 20 years Save the Children has delivered around $60 million in relief and development programs to the most vulnerable children and their families in 500 communities throughout Armenia.

The vital health, education and social initiatives have helped improve basic conditions of the poorest populations through community-based projects and capacity building of local partners and institutions.