UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative (UN RC/UNDP RR) in Armenia Dafina Gercheva said that natural disasters annually cause damage at the amount of $33mln to Armenia.

Thus, it is more efficient to invest in projects aimed at preventing disasters than in those for eliminating their consequences, Gercheva said during an international meeting in Yerevan devoted to decreasing disaster risks in Armenia.

She added that, unfortunately, Armenia is rather vulnerable to natural disasters.

Gercheva also hailed the efforts of the Armenian Ministry of Emergency Situations aimed at decreasing natural disaster risks.

According to her, 300 natural disasters were recorded in 2010 worldwide, killing 300,000 people.

“The UN urges to develop an efficient national system to coordinate the efforts and activity for disaster risks prevention,” Gercheva said, adding that the UN is ready to assist the Armenian Ministry of Emergency Situations in these matters.