The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has provided Armenian Caritas with food commodities amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The two agencies will provide food assistance to vulnerable individuals across the daycare center “Little Prince” in Gyumri, Artashat and Vanadzor cities, as well as Center for Children and Youth with Multiple Disabilities “Emili Aregak”. Over 360 beneficiaries in Gyumri, Artashat, and Vanadzor benefitted from additional food items from WFP within Caritas food baskets, which Caritas provides to the vulnerable families in Armenia on a regular basis to support their food security and livelihood. Thanks to such partnerships it becomes possible to ensure a more comprehensive response to COVID-19.

At the suggestion of the Shirak regional administration, the organization acquired and provided the province with PPE – Personal Protective Equipment /200 protective goggles and 200 protective medical clothing/. They will be given to the Gyumri Infection Hospitaland other hospitals. The initiative was made possible with the financial support of Renovabis, CaritasInnsbruck/Austria and the USABishopsConference . If necessary, the Armenian Caritas will also acquire and provide requested items with the remaining money. “Organizational, preparatory works are being carried out. There is a great need for protective, disinfectant supplies worldwide. It is true that professional institutions are provided with these items,

Armenian Caritas organized a 3-day training in the cultural and warm atmosphere of «Machanents» Guesthouse from February 21 to 23 for those pupils who will become peer to peer educators spreading the values of inclusive education among their peers to build together more inclusive school and become the driving force for changes in their schools. Under the guidance of their trainer Artashes Torozyan pupils got acquainted with the principles of inclusive education, their rights and responsibilities, learnt about the best example of inclusive school: the Finnish school. They acquired skills to conduct trainings, worked in groups and presented their suggestions.

January 30-31, 2020 in the framework of the “ArmenianCaritas” BNGO’s “ARAMAZD: SMART” project a meeting-discussion by “Open Space” format on the topic “Intergovernmental Partnership as a Community Development Guarantee” was held in Dilijan. Ashot Giloyan, Head of the Department of Local Self-Government of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia, Armine Simonyan, Head of the Territorial (Capital) Program Support Division, Artak Aghbalyan, Head of the Primary (Vocational) and Intermediate Vocational Education Department of the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Sport and Culture, MPs Nazeli Baghdasaryan and Hrant Ayvazyan, representatives of Gegharkunik, Lori and Shirak Marzpetarans (regional administrations), representatives of local governments,

December 3rd is the International Day of Persons with Disability. Within the framework of “My Right. Inclusive Education in Armenia and Kosovo” project a visit was organized to “Little Prince” day care center of Armenian Caritas with the participation of children and their parents involved in the project. During the informative visit project’s children and beneficiary children of the center got acquainted with each other. Later, the staff of the center introduced parents the criteria for admitting children to their center, as well as the work done with children, and the activities organized for children. Meanwhile, all children participated in the cooking,