Armenia

Armenia Drought - OCHA Situation Report
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), September 29, 2000

High temperatures and lack of rain in recent months have resulted in a serious drought and shortage of water. The preliminary governmental estimates of the damages to the agricultural sector amount to USD 40 million. The drought has been particularly devastating for areas planted with grain, fodder and vegetables, mainly in the mountainous and sub-mountainous northern regions. According to WFP, emergency food assistance for subsistence farmers and other vulnerable groups in the affected areas is needed, in addition to seeds, animal feed, fuel and lubricants. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the impact of the drought is further worsened by the poor conditions of the irrigation water system, as well as the fact that the water level in the country's rivers lowered by 40-45 percent.