The Council of Europe, together with Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, presented the key achievements of its €2.8 million Comprehensive Response Package launched in 2023 to address the major refugee influx into Armenia. The package has strengthened local integration efforts, enhanced the capacities of the Migration and Citizenship Service and national human rights institutions, supported refugee women and trained hundreds of healthcare professionals and civil servants working with children affected by migration. Senior officials highlighted the demand-driven nature of the programme, its role in safeguarding refugees’ rights, and its contribution to building resilient national and local institutions. Looking ahead, the Council of Europe plans to focus on deeper integration of refugees, continued support for vulnerable groups, and preparing Armenian authorities for future reforms, in line with the broader Action Plan for Armenia and migration-related priorities.

Also in Armenia, healthcare professionals have been among the most affected during the displacement in September 2023. Professional duties made them even more vulnerable to trauma because of their role as first responders. In this regard, the Council of Europe has prioritised provision of psychological support to displaced healthcare professionals as the only specific support to the state in integration of refugee healthcare professionals into the healthcare system in Armenia. Tailored capacity building events have been designed with the focus to address the impact of the psychological stress accumulated in the process of displacement and equip displaced healthcare professionals with tools of resistance in the new conditions. To finalise this kind of unique initiative both for the Council of Europe and Armenia, a tailored psychological capacity building session organised on 21-22 November brought together around 35 displaced healthcare professionals. The session served as a good platform for handling the post-traumatic stress and identifying and mapping the psychological resources for resistance.