Armenia

Armenia is a landlocked,mountainous country bordering Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iran. Armenia gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, but suffered severe economic and social dislocation following this. Armenia is struggling to overcome major issues around poor governance and widespread corruption. HIV/AIDS is also emerging as a significant issue, with a number of groups at risk. However, the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS means that raising awareness and improving prevention is a difficult task. World Vision UK has been working in Armenia since 2000, in a partnership that now includes a number of privately funded projects and two Area Development Programs. Sisian ADP, which is building on the work of a World Vision special project in the area, has now selected 21 rural communities to work with and join on their journey towards self-sufficiency. And although 2005 was the first year for Lori ADP, it is already responding to the region’s urgent need for help in overcoming poor social services and a dangerous level of food insecurity among other issues.

Key Facts
Population: 2,976,372
Population growth rate: 0.19%
Infant mortality rate: 22 deaths per
1,000 live births
Literacy: 98.6%
Unemployment rate: 31.6%
Population living below
Poverty line: 43%