Diary From Armenia: WFP Food Assistance Cards Provide Support in Tough Times
Nestled in the heart of Armenia lies Charentsavan, a peaceful town of 18,000 people where one in four families faces difficulties getting enough food.
Among them is Ofik who, at the age of 80, is one of thousands of elderly people receiving social assistance from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
“I’ve seen a lot in my eight decades on this Earth, and I like to believe that I’ve faced life’s challenges with strength,” she says.
Ofik is a widow, and she is unable to count on support from her children as they are each occupied with their own families and challenges.
Ofik finds herself struggling to put food on her table. Her health concerns add an extra layer of difficulty, as the government’s assistance falls short of covering both her necessary medication and meals.
Despite these hardships, Ofik received a food card from WFP, which she describes as “a big help”.
This card provides her with approximately US$24 per month for three months, allowing her to buy healthy and nutritious food.
“Someone extending a helping hand means the world to people like me,” she says. “Little things matter — they bring hope and show that we’re not alone in this big world. They make all the difference in our lives, as you may see.”
Food cards are an integral part of WFP’s “Integrated Response to the Increased Food Prices in Armenia” project, a collaborative effort funded by the US Agency for International Development in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of Armenia. They serve as an example of the positive impact that kindness and support can have on the lives of individuals like Ofik, ensuring that they are not left to face life’s challenges alone.
In Armenia, the 2022 Food Security and Vulnerability Assessment (FSVA) revealed a troubling reality: 77% of households had to adopt various strategies to cope with food shortages. According to the 2023 FSVA, approximately 30% of the Armenian population faced food insecurity, with 25% living in poverty.
This concerning situation resulted from factors such as a 13% annual increase in food prices, high unemployment rates, and damage to agricultural infrastructure in nearby areas due to conflict. The economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, compounded by conflicts in Russia-Ukraine and Karabakh, further strained Armenia’s ability to ensure food security.
In response, WFP, with generous support from USAID, launched the “Integrated Response to Increased Food Prices in Armenia” project. Initially, the project assisted 3,000 people in Shirak, Lori, and Tavush regions, later expanding its reach to an additional 10,000 people in other regions. Priority was given to vulnerable households, including the elderly, disabled, and displaced.
Through this initiative, food-insecure individuals in several provinces of Armenia received food cards with a value of US$24 per person for three months.
Alongside this tangible support, educational materials on healthy nutrition and food consumption practices were provided, symbolizing not just a handout, but a beacon of empowerment for a healthier and brighter future.
