USAID Launches $130 Million Rapid Response Platform in Armenia to Improve Crisis Management

On September 6th, 2024, the USAID-supported Rapid Response Platform was officially launched in Yerevan, Armenia. This platform is designed to help the Armenian government coordinate support more efficiently for people during crises, such as natural disasters, public health emergencies, or economic hardships. Thanks to funding from USAID, the Armenian government has upgraded the platform to make it more effective in delivering assistance to families affected by such emergencies.

During the inauguration event, John Allelo, USAID's Mission Director for Armenia, expressed confidence in the platform’s potential. He emphasized that the upgraded system will enhance the delivery of social services during crises. "I believe that the upgraded platform will enhance social service delivery for affected populations during emergencies, improve data availability for informed decision-making, and increase overall readiness to respond effectively to crises,” Allelo said. 

The upgraded Rapid Response Platform is part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening Armenia's social protection systems. These reforms, led by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, are focused on making emergency responses more efficient and better coordinated. The initiative is funded by USAID through its "Protection, Inclusion, and Empowerment" Activity, implemented by Democracy International, and developed by the Nork Technology Center in Armenia.

Narek Mkrtchyan, Armenia’s Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, spoke about the importance of such tools during times of crisis. He noted that past experiences have demonstrated the critical role of these platforms in responding to emergencies. “The emergency response platform ensures readiness for any situation, allowing private initiatives to assess available resources and allocate them confidently to serve people in need,” Mkrtchyan said.

The platform serves two key groups: 

- Individuals or families affected by emergencies in the past 72 hours, such as natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, or fires, or public health crises like pandemics.

- Organizations or individuals willing to provide resources to assist the government in supporting those in need.

One of the key features of the platform is a social support map that shows available support services in affected areas. This map helps both individuals in need and responders to quickly identify what assistance is available and where it can be accessed.

In a related development, USAID has announced an additional $130 million in funding to help Armenia improve its public administration. This new funding will go toward making the Armenian government more efficient, transparent, and accountable, particularly in the economic sector. The initiative also aims to strengthen democratic values, improve civic engagement, and support Armenia’s ongoing efforts to safeguard democratic progress.

This funding increase follows a five-year cooperation agreement signed in 2022 between Armenia’s Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan and USAID Director John Allelo. The initial agreement was for $120 million, but with the additional $130 million, the total financial support now amounts to $250 million. This new allocation will focus on institutional reforms that enhance governance, promote industry competitiveness, improve natural resource management, and address pressing economic challenges.

The upgraded Rapid Response Platform is a significant step forward in Armenia's ability to respond to emergencies. By enabling faster and more coordinated assistance, it ensures that those affected by crises can receive the help they need in a timely manner.

The platform also opens up opportunities for private sector participation in crisis response, allowing more resources to be pooled and used effectively.

Meanwhile, the additional funding from USAID shows the United States' commitment to supporting Armenia in its broader governance reforms. The new resources will help Armenia build stronger institutions, promote economic stability, and strengthen its democratic systems.