Strengthening Capacities of Armenian National Security Service and Border Guards in their Response to Migration Crisis

This project will strengthen the institutional capacities of the Armenian National Security Service and the Border Guards Troops (BGT) to respond to migration crises and enhance their role in interagency cooperation.

Armenia, like its neighbouring countries in the Caucasus and the Middle East regions, is highly exposed to natural hazards, including earthquakes, landslides, floods, mudflows, droughts, avalanches and extreme temperatures and has been continuously devastated by large natural hazards throughout history. Armenian authorities have been pro-actively addressing the issue of response to natural hazards, however there are still gaps in terms of institutional preparedness and equipment, especially with border agencies. The project is designed to address gaps such as the lack of regulations, lack of capacity, insufficient interagency coordination, and low awareness on Humanitarian Border Management (HBM) during crisis situations. It will support the government in the implementation of policy documents on protection of the population in case of earthquake, Armenia’s Migration Strategy and includes the development of Standard Operational Procedures for Border Guards in case of Migration Crises, capacity building, as well as networking activities. The project will be implemented in close cooperation with the National Security Service and the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.

The issues of human-rights and the rights of women in particular will be central to the project. In the implementation of the mapping of the needs as well as in the development of SOPs and other outputs, special needs of women and girls in the case of migration crises will be taken into account, as well as the gender-specific needs of men and boys.