WB launches water-supply and irrigation improvement programme in  Armenia 

ArmInfo.The World Bank (WB) has launched the first phase of the Water and Irrigation Services  Enhancement (WISE) program in Armenia in rural areas with limited access to services.

As stated in the official statement of the WB, the program is  designed for 2025-2031 and will be financed by a loan from the  International Bank for Reconstruction and Development in the amount  equivalent to $80 million. The program will be co-financed by the  French Development Agency, the EU and the Armenian government, in a  total amount of $185 million. Over the next 10 years, the total  funding will amount to $435 million, of which the lion's share ($330  million) will come from the IBRD. 

The first six-year phase of the program will be implemented by the  Water Committee of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and  Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia in the settlements of  Ararat, Armavir, Kotayk, Aragatsotn, Shirak and Tavush regions. The  initiative is aimed at modernizing the infrastructure and  strengthening the institutions regulating the water sector in line  with Armenia's commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and  improve adaptation to extreme weather events.  According to the  source, in Armenia, about 650 thousand people in 579 rural  settlements remain without access to centralized water services, as  they live in areas not covered by lease agreements for the provision  of water supply services. Caroline Geghinat, Head of the World Bank  Yerevan Office, noted that by investing in irrigation and water  supply systems in parallel with policy and institutional reform, WISE  will also help mitigate the impact of challenges such as drought,  floods and extreme heat. Overall, the program will improve the  quality of life and increase the economic resilience of the rural  population of Armenia.

The WB report says that despite significant economic growth recorded  in recent years, the poverty rate in Armenia remains high. While a  significant part of the country's economic growth is currently  provided by the services and industry sectors, agriculture remains  one of the largest employers and a source of food for many families.