SOCIAL IMPACT AND RESETTLEMENT

Valuation of social impact is one of the significant components of "North-South Road Corridor Investment Program”. Within the framework of Project implementation, its main objective is addressing possible social impacts and land acquisition and resettlement (LAR) issues required for certain sections of the road.

For each Tranche requiring land acquisition and resettlement, LARP (Land Acquisition and Resettlement Programs) is being developed and implemented in accordance with Armenian existing laws and legislative acts, Asian Development Bank (ADB) Policy on involuntary resettlement, as well as land acquisition and resettlement frameworks. 

The RA Government approved the Land Acquisition and Resettlement Framework (LARF). It is the basis for the development and implementation of each Tranche LARP and it refers to the mechanisms of land acquisition and resettlement issues, procedures and compensation in the framework of the Project. 

ADB "Involuntary Resettlement Policy” and "Land Acquisition and Resettlement Program” are based on the following main principles:

Involuntary resettlement should be avoided as much as possible or at least minimized by searching for design alternatives;

The compensation/rehabilitation rate shall ensure the living standard of the APs (affected people) before project implementation;

The APs shall be provided with full information and consultation on the LAR compensation options;

The compensation shall be based on the equity of men and women;

Lack of legal status must not hinder the compensation and/or rehabilitation process;

Special attention must be drawn to women headed households and to other vulnerable groups. Respective support must be shown to improve their status;

Compensation and resettlement allocations must be provided prior to smoothing and demolition of the right of way.

There are no land acquisition and resettlement issues in the framework of Tranche 1(Yerevan-Ararat and Yerevan -Ashtarak).

There is need for land acquisition and resettlement in the framework of Tranche 2 (Ashtarak-Talin) and accordingly Land Acquisition and Resettlement Program has been developed.

There is need for land acquisition and resettlement in the framework of Tranche 3 (Talin-Gyumri) and accordingly Land Acquisition and Resettlement Program has been developed.