$617mln needed for seismic risk reduction project in Armenian schools

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian government approved Thursday, July 23, the project to improve the seismic safety of public schools in Armenia.

The initiative aims to reduce the number of possible casualties and the scale of damage during earthquakes.

The project will give the opportunity to raise the level of the inhabitants' and the authorities' preparedness to confront earthquakes, to reduce the seismic risk in the region, to integrate the region's seismic hazard monitoring into international systems and have it in line with modern international format.

According to preliminary estimates, $617 million is necessary for building or renovating 377 schools. Different investment projects have already been proposed by the Armenian government and partner organizations, which are focused on different types of schools, depending on their location.

Around 147,870 school children, teachers and other employees will be the primary beneficiaries.