Cyprus delegation visits displaced families in Armenian province

PanARMENIAN.Net - On May 18, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Cyprus, Annita Demetriou, who is visiting Armenia at the invitation of National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan, traveled with her delegation to the Aragatsotn Province. In the village of Agharak, she met with ten families forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh and now residing in different communities within the province.

These families received greenhouse donations as part of the "Economically Sustainable Families" program implemented by the "My Step" Foundation. The initiative aims to support their socioeconomic recovery and integration. The delegation was accompanied by Lena Nazaryan, Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, program manager Taguhi Mirzakhanyan, Aragatsotn deputy governors Armen Grigoryan and Milada Hovhannisyan, as well as other local officials.

Demetriou was briefed on the program’s implementation and outcomes. She personally spoke with the families, listened to their stories, and acknowledged the hardships they face due to displacement. She praised their work ethic and creative spirit, affirming her full understanding of their challenges and expressing sincere solidarity and support. She also highlighted Cyprus’ readiness to continue backing such initiatives for community development.

The "Economically Sustainable Families" program is fully funded through a Cypriot government grant. Since November 1, 2024, the foundation has implemented every stage of the initiative—from constructing drip-irrigated greenhouses to supplying seeds and seedlings to the beneficiaries.

Additionally, the program offered both theoretical and hands-on training, along with individual consultations to help families effectively manage greenhouse operations.

The initiative covers 20 displaced families now living in Aragatsotn and Lori provinces, each provided with a 250-square-meter greenhouse to establish stable agricultural livelihoods. Its main goals are to support their economic sustainability, enhance community integration, and promote permanent settlement in Armenia.

Although the program is scheduled to end on May 31, the foundation plans to maintain engagement with beneficiary families, offering further assistance where possible and involving them in additional educational and development programs.