Natural disaster management programmes to be digitized 

ArmInfo. Amendments to the law "On the protection of the population in emergency situations" will become an additional tool for reducing the burden on communities and  the state.

The National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia at the plenary  session on March 26 introduced the relevant amendments to the current  law, as well as to the Code of Administrative Offenses in the first  reading.

According to the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic  of Armenia Armen Mkrtchyan, the presented package is more related to  disaster risk management and population protection. The current law  on the protection of the population in emergency situations, adopted  in 1998, no longer meets modern requirements, both in terms of system  management and international standards. In addition, there is  insufficient awareness at all levels of the population protection  system, especially among the public, which emphasizes the need to  raise awareness.

The new bill, according to the Deputy Minister, was developed taking  into account international standards and an analysis of the recent  floods that occurred in the Lori and Tavush regions in May 2024.  Mkrtchyan explained that the draft law more clearly presents the  powers of the competent authorities at all levels of government:  republican, regional, municipal and facility. "In addition, the draft  law envisages the expansion of digital tools. In particular, all  disaster management programs will be digitized, and a single  electronic information system will be created for the competent  authorities," the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs explained. 

According to the speaker, after the adoption of the bill, a system of  insurance will also be provided for in cases of death, damage to  property and human health. The bill will also determine liability for  violations of established norms. Mkrtchyan clarified that the  institution of compulsory insurance should be enshrined in law, since  we are talking about the consequences of natural disasters and  compensation for damage to both victims and third parties. In this  vein, he explained that damage can affect not only specific objects  or people, but also the environment.

"At the same time, those who suffered but did not carry out mandatory  insurance will not be deprived of monetary compensation from the  state. For example, in the case of the recent events in Lori and  Tavush, the state has already begun to provide monetary compensation  to both individuals and legal entities. The new bill will become an  additional tool to reduce the burden on communities and the state,"  Mkrtchyan added, noting the state's readiness to compensate for  damage if necessary. The Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs drew  attention to the fact that the bill also includes measures to reduce  the risks of natural disasters, listing specific tools for addressing  this issue. According to him, despite the fact that the law has not  yet been adopted, the strategy already includes calculations to  reduce risks and determines the necessary budget for the  implementation of the proposed measures.

Touching upon the negotiations with insurance companies, Mkrtchyan  noted that before the inclusion of this norm in the draft law,  discussions were held with the management of the Central Bank of  Armenia, which assured that such work would be continued with the  involvement of insurance companies.

On May 26, 2024, a flood occurred in the north of Armenia, caused by  heavy rainfall, torrential rain and the overflow of the Debed and  Aghstev rivers, which led to significant destruction of  infrastructure and the death of 4 people. The disaster damaged roads,  bridges and railways. According to the latest data from the Ministry  of Internal Affairs of Armenia, 429 people were rescued and evacuated  from various settlements in the Lori and Tavush regions.