Seismic Safety Improvement Program 3

Proposed

The Republic of Armenia is located at the intersection of major tectonic faults, making it highly prone to seismic activity. The devastation of the 1988 Spitak earthquake claimed about 25,000 lives, including 6,000 school children; left 517,000 people homeless, destroyed 190 schools and many urban infrastructures; and incurred direct economic losses of $15 billion-$20 billion. The recent 7.8-magnitude earthquake in neighboring Trkiye and Syria in 2023 is a wake-up call for Armenia, posing a significant threat to the country. Since 2015, ADB has partnered with the government of Armenia to enhance the seismic resilience of its schools through the School Strengthening and Renovation Program (SSRP). To date, ADB has processed two loans (SSIP and SSIP-Additional Financing), both of which have significantly contributed to government efforts. Based on this successful partnership and good program implementation track record, the government is in discussion with ADB for a new loan, SSIP-3, as a continuation of the first two SSIP loans. A Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia (JFPR) grant funded project, Seismic Safety Enhancement Project, which aims to further improve Armenia's resilience to disasters by sharing international best practices, is being processed with approval scheduled in Q3 2024. Over the years, at least 16 ADB board members, as well as the ADB President, have visited SSIP schools and supported ADB's leadership and ongoing partnerships to strengthen Armenia's safety and disaster resilience.Most public buildings, particularly schools from the Soviet Union, were poorly designed to withstand earthquake with substandard construction and maintenance increasing vulnerability. Armenia has about 1,400 public schools, of which about 1,000 need retrofitting or reconstruction; including over 430 at high risk of collapse even in a moderate earthquake. Demographic decline over 30 years, has left half of the school buildings empty, resulting in inefficient public education spending. Armenia also faces significant urban challenges, include a very limited waste recycling, high air pollution levels, and insufficient green spaces. Racing against time, the next major earthquake could strike Armenia at any moment, and over 1,000 schools and other critical infrastructures remain vulnerable against earthquake. Quick, efficient, and timely program processing are critical. In 2021, new state educational standards were approved. However, climate education and disaster awareness remain a challenge, as many teachers lack the knowledge, and skills needed to enhance youth's sensitivity to climate and disaster awareness.