Armenia Seeks Volunteers As Flood Cleanup Continues
The Armenian government is seeking volunteers as it deals with the cleanup following floods that killed four people and caused extensive damage in dozens of towns and villages.
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A man removes mud from a stairwell in the hard-hit town of Alaverdi on May 28 as cleanup work continues in northeastern Armenia following the worst flooding in decades.
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Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosian said hundreds of volunteers were needed to assist local authorities in the cleanup efforts.
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"Inside buildings, their entrances, shops, and other places there is a fairly thick layer of mud and damaged products that can be removed mainly by manual work," Sanosian said.
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Men use an improvised cable to transport items over the Debed River in the town of Alaverdi.
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Hundreds of residents were forced to flee on May 26 as heavy rain and flooding in Armenia's northern Lori and Tavush provinces affected highways and rail services.
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The government formally declared dozens of settlements a disaster zone on May 27, allocating $775,000 for urgent relief supplies for residents.
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Education Minister Zhanna Andreasian urged university students in Yerevan and other parts of the country to join in the cleanup efforts. She said many had already done so.
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A worker tries to clear the thick mud left over from the flooding.
