Summary and Further Steps of the project “Isolated Civilization”

On October 23, the final meeting devoted to the events protecting the rights of the residents of temporary dwellings took place in the office of HCA Vanadzor.
The participating residents, representatives of political organizations and NGOs gave their assessments on the actions implemented by HCA Vanadzor during the past 6 months.

The project resulted in the following:
• Because of discussions, HCA Vanadzor revealed the current problems, and approaches for solving them.
• Resulting from TV programs, according to the residents, people were informed about the problems of the residents of temporary dwellings. They remember that after those programs people approached them in the street and encouraged them to fight till the end.
• Cooperation was formed with representatives of local authorities, NGOs and political parties.
Regardless, the residents of temporary dwellings think that they were not active enough for several reasons:
• They were afraid of being punished.
• They lost hope because the problem existed for a long time.
• Some had individual interests, with which some residents could solve their housing problem. At present there are very few families in the 3rd temporary dwelling in Kimiagortsneri district.
The residents mention that the actions should be continued. They suggest involving businessmen in this process. Through this, it will be possible to get investments in house building.
The coordinator of HCA Vanadzor, Arthur Sakunts considers that the coming Parliamentary elections are a serious resource for solving the problems of residents of temporary dwellings. The residents should be able to realize and raise before a candidate the question of his responsibilities and obligations.
The representative of the organization “Armenian Habitat” considers that the residents of temporary dwellings should themselves undertake steps to get out of their temporary places. They should not wait and expect help from the state; they must find funds and means to get a house. However, these residents do not complain about working and getting houses by themselves. The state does not provide job opportunities. Reimbursement for citizens who lost their houses because of the earthquake is not foreseen. As demand by the state, local authorities execute resolution 317 of RA on vacating the territories from temporary dwellings. The same resolution allocated financial resources to Lori region for 2004, 2005 and 2006, but these resources were not utilized. The state does not execute its obligations of allocations foreseen by the law “On Approving the Complex Program of Restoring the Disaster Zone”. Consequently, citizens must raise questions as a first step in protecting their rights.
HCA Vanadzor will continue protecting the interests of the residents of temporary dwellings. We expect that we will:
• reveal the legality or illegality of the sale of some properties with temporary dwellings
• promote the development of public housing programs by the municipality of Vanadzor
• suggest that changes be made in resolution 317 of the government, or that a new decision be made
• apply to RA government or foreign investors for forming and realizing public housing
• follow up on the process of allocating the residents damaged houses
• print and disseminate a poster and booklet on the events held for the protection of the residents of temporary dwellings of Vanadzor