The government has announced the closure of borders and is urging those who are attempting to block our water supply to reconsider their actions. During a press conference held on November 23rd at the government building, a speaker addressed the issue of water shortages in the country. In response to the recent adoption of censorship laws in the National Assembly, a group of concerned citizens gathered in front of the government building to stage a protest in the building’s 3rd courtyard.

According to the protesters, the lack of water is not just confined to their communities; it is a problem that affects the entire region. They argue that the Prime Minister, without proper consultation or consideration of their needs, claims that more than half of Armenia’s water is used for irrigation while the people in the region suffer. Officially, Yerevan is experiencing a water scarcity, so how can the regions have sufficient water?

When asked about their plan of action if the blockade of the waterworks is announced, one participant in the protest stated that they would distribute water and confront those who are taking their water. They argue that if their homes are inappropriately supplied, they have nowhere else to go. Frustration and anger are evident as one protester expressed, “I have prepared them with a burnt-out hand, let them come to my house.”

It is important to note that on November 22nd, the Armenian Parliament approved the draft law on irrigation water management, which imposes restrictions on irrigation systems that rely on artesian wells for drinking water. According to this law, these systems can only use 40 percent of the available water resources.