The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of Armenia has publicized the draft decision to provide monetary social assistance to the families of those killed and those injured as a result of the powerful explosion at the Surmalu shopping market in Yerevan on August 14.

Accordingly, it is planned to pay a one-time support of 3,000,000 drams (approx. $7,500) to the families of the casualties and of the missing person as a result of this explosion.

Those injured in the explosion will receive up to 300,000 drams (approx. $750) of one-time support—but only if they received hospital treatment. A total of 150,000 (approx. $375) drams will be given to each of those who have been in hospital treatment for up to three days, and 300,000 drams—to each of those who have been in hospital treatment for three or more days.

The amounts of this social assistance will be provided in a non-cash way to a bank account provided by the given beneficiary.

This draft is planned to be adopted by the Armenia government after the end of its public debate period—on September 14.

And the actual process of paying the respective money will start after December 1, when all the beneficiaries will have applied for this state support.

The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has also presented preliminary estimates, according to which the beneficiaries of the program are 24 injured persons as well as the families of 16 casualties and one missing person. According to this calculation, the total amount of this social support will be 55,650,000 drams (approx. $138,800).