On May 31, 2011, the USAID-funded Small Scale Infrastructure Program (SSIP), implemented by Cooperative Housing Foundation International (CHF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Armenia signed a Statement of Understanding (SOA) related to the implementation of two potable water system rehabilitation projects in Tavush region.

The SOA was signed by UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia Ms. Dafina Gercheva and CHF International Armenia Branch Country Director Mr. Zoran Radic, with participation of national and international stakeholders and representatives of mass media. The main objective of the document is to provide support to enhanced rural development in Armenia putting the emphasis on increasing living standards of the rural households through temporary employment and provision reconstruction of vital infrastructure.

SSIP and UNDP/Armenia will jointly implement projects in the border communities of Aygepar and Voskevan in Tavush region. Potable water systems in communities are over 50 years old and are in need of serious repairs and improvement. The leakages in the systems do not allow providing the communities with regular water supply.

Construction of 2.5 km pipeline in Aygepar and 4 km pipeline in Voskevan with necessary infrastructure will allow community members to have drinking water round-the-clock. UNDP will provide the pipes to the projects, while CHF will carry out overall construction, mobilize the community and follow the timely and duly implementation of the project together with its local partner, Shen NGO.

“UNDP works at national, regional and local levels to provide targeted response to development challenges in Armenia. Addressing the needs of bordering communities and providing community residents with an access to basic infrastructure and services is one of the high priorities on the UNDP agenda. By working together with CHF, we can change for better the living standards in Aygepar and Voskevan communities,” said Dafina Gercheva, UN RC/UNDP RR.

The signing of the Statement of Understanding is a continuation of a successful collaboration between CHF International Armenia Branch and the UN Office in Armenia. In 2010, SSIP and UNDP reconstructed Sevkar community kindergarten (Tavush region), while SSIP and WFP collaborated on 12 water system rehabilitation projects in the regions of Tavush, Shirak, Gegharkunik and Lori.

4 of these projects are still under implementation. In his remarks CHF Country Director Zoran Radic said: “USAID funded SSIP has a great advantage to similar projects because it has been able to mobilize a number of partners who together contributed to its objectives. To date, CHF has been able to generate $1.5 million in matching funds from different government and non-governmental sources for SSIP in addition to USAID’s $3.5 million. These two projects are yet another great example of the collaborative effort of international community for the benefit of residents of Aygepar and Voskevan.”