Summary of COVID-19 Fundraising Campaign in Armenia

In order to support the healthcare system in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic, an account was opened in the Treasury of RA Ministry of Finance on March 17 for donations made by natural persons and organizations.

At the same time, the “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund launched a fundraising campaign, within the framework of which a special account was opened. The slogan of the campaign is “COVID-19 Armenia: United Against the Pandemic.”

Ampop Media presents how much money was raised as a result of these two initiatives and how it was allocated.

A Treasury Account Opened to Prevent and Overcome COVID-19

As of July 24, the money of the account of Treasury comprised 1 billion 118 million drams (about 2 million 330 thousand US dollars). That amount was raised as a result of 4654 transfers.

In response to the inquiry of Ampop Media, the Ministry of Finance informed that the special account of the Treasury is an income account, from which no expenses are incurred, and the RA Ministry of Health is responsible for the account. The money from the Treasury account is allocated to the relevant departments based on the decisions of the Government.

By the decisions of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, 1 billion 35 million drams was allocated to the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia for the implementation of prevention, oversight, treatment and other complex measures to combat coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in the Republic of Armenia.

However, money is transferred to the Ministry of Health not only from this account for the above-mentioned purposes. The Ministry of Health also uses its budget, transfers from the state reserve fund, as well as money allocated by other charitable foundations and organizations.
The Ministry of Health has already spent 5.8 billion drams within the framework of combating the pandemic.

The expenses were incurred by the orders of the RA Minister of Health for the maintenance of re-profiled medical centers, expenses of remuneration of medical staff, necessary medicines, equipment, medical goods, reimbursing construction expenses.

According to the data provided by the Ministry of Health, a quarter or 25% of the money spent was directed to maintaining the re-profiled medical centers. At the moment, about 19 medical institutions have been re-profiled and are engaged in the treatment of patients infected with coronavirus, the list of them is available on the website of the Ministry of Health. Six of these medical institutions operate in Yerevan, the others are in the provinces.

There are such re-profiled medical institutions in Vanadzor, Spitak, Gyumri, Artashat, Kapan, Dilijan, Vedi and Martuni. Coronavirus departments have been set up in a number of hospitals.

The next large batch of expenses, which was directed to the purchase of medical equipment, made 18% of the total expenditures or 1 billion 67 million drams. According to the Ministry of Health, 159 artificial ventilation devices, about 830 mobile oxygen devices, 6 ultrasound devices and various other necessary devices were purchased with this money. 235 patient monitors and 6 electrocardiographs were distributed to medical institutions.

In addition to the Ministry of Health, financial means was provided from the treasury account to the Police, the Urban Development Committee for bonuses, monetary incentives and special payments.

The Fundraising Campaign of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund

“COVID-19 Armenia: United Against the Pandemic” is the slogan of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s fundraising campaign. As a result of fundraising, as of August 2, more than 800 thousand US dollars (about 385 million drams) was raised from 18 countries.

This amount was generated as a result of donations from the Fund’s online, partner and direct donors. Online donors are people living in the Diaspora and Armenia who make donations in the amount of their choice. The amount can be very different. For example, the minimum amount transferred by website donors was 1 dram, and the maximum amount was 5000 dollars.

The partner donors are Armenian foundations operating in different parts of the world: Lebanon, Los Angeles, Canada, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Brazil, Germany, Italy, Argentina, Austria, Greece, France, and Switzerland.

According to the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, $ 695,244 was used to purchase large-scale medical supplies and equipment, provide monthly food packages for vulnerable elderly citizens and return stranded compatriots to Armenia.

43% of the amount spent or 300 thousand dollars was provided to the Ambulance Services Staff as financial support. And 39.6% or 275 thousand dollars were spent to buy medical equipment.

Text and Graphics by Astghik Gevorgyan

A Treasury Account Opened to Prevent and Overcome COVID-19

The Fundraising Campaign of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund

More stories

Կարող եք ընթերցել նաեւ