Some 25 houses were washed away by a flood on 3 May in Haghartsin village, Tavush region, northeast of Armenia.

The flood was the result of a massive landslide that changed the course of river Aghstev - a typical calamity for this part of the country. Fortunately, no-one died.

“The flood caught us unawares at 11 in the morning. Our house was first to fall under the strong torrent of the river. We hardly managed to leave the house before it sank under water. I was standing there, crying as I watched the river sweep away our animals. After the flood my family and I had to stay in the street for days,” said Manya Aghajanyan, 70.

Village houses that were affected by the flood are now being demolished since it is not possible to reconstruct them.

Valod Arustamyan, 20, said the river washed away his house and shed, which gave shelter to about 50 pigs and 25 piglets.

“I couldn’t save anything. My family is now staying at a relative’s house. I can’t imagine how we are going to survive without financial assistance,” he said.

The Armenian government is assessing the damage caused by the flood and determining the cost of necessary repairs and compensation to the villagers.

World Vision plans to assist those who suffered from the flood in spite of the fact that Haghartsin community is not included in World Vision’s Tavush Area Development Program.