September 2, 2005

ARMENIA FUND USA RECEIVES PROJECT C.U.R.E.’S DONATION FOR THE ARMINE PAGOUMIAN POLYCLINIC AND DIAGNOSTIC CENTER

A gift of over $400,000 in Medical Supplies and Equipment

NEW YORK, New York – Armenia Fund USA is delighted to announce the generous donation of medical supplies and equipment valued at more than $400,000 and designated for the Armine Pagoumian Polyclinic and Diagnostic Center in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh. The humanitarian aid provided by Project C.U.R.E. includes goods ranging from basic healthcare supplies such as ventilator tubing and respiratory system supplies to medical laboratory equipment – lights, microscopes and refrigerators. This will be of major assistance to the newly-constructed Polyclinic which, located in the region’s capital, is the first and only full care outpatient medical center in Nagorno-Karabakh. As a humanitarian project of this scale, it is expected to improve the lives of hundreds and thousands bringing hope to people affected by various illnesses.

The gift by Project C.U.R.E. further solidifies the level of services and care that will bring hope to those in need. Established in 1987, Project C.U.R.E., based in Centennial, Colorado, is devoted to distributing medical surplus to countries where it is most needed. The organization is currently shipping to more than 100 different countries including North Korea, Cuba, China, Russia, Vietnam, countries in Africa, South America and Central Asia.

Armenia Fund USA is honored to add Project C.U.R.E. to our family of donors, knowing that such partnerships spread a powerful message – sharing a common vision of integrity and accountability, and making it possible to reach those in need.

The Armine Pagoumian Polyclinic and Diagnostic Center was funded by a U.S. businessman in memory of his aunt. The Polyclinic, one of the Fund’s major initiatives, has completely redefined the very idea of sustainable development by creating a strong, long term quality health care center in the conflict-torn region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Before the construction of the Polyclinic, the receipt of basic health services was a challenge - if not an impossibility - and the existing facility was far below any standards of hygiene known to us in the United States. Through comprehensive training and prudent administration, the Center – opening in the fall of 2005 - has already secured its future and ensures the long term viability of the program, the effectiveness and efficiency of the services provided and safety of its clientele and patients. The implementation of such a large-scale project has brought together such major health care providers and health authorities as UCLA’s Center for International Emergency Medicine, Yerevan’s Academy of Medicine, the American University of Armenia’s Center for Health Services Research and Development, and John Hopkins University’s Center for International Emergency Disaster and Refugee Studies and MediTech Company. The list also includes a recent joint initiative with Medical Missions for Children (MMC) – an international non-governmental organization dedicated to providing quality healthcare to critically-ill children throughout the world. The result of the new partnership is the program that establishes a high-quality videoconference link between the Karabakh Telecom in Stepanakert and MMC’s headquarters in Paterson, NJ. The successful completion of this project will provide a revolutionary exercise of virtual real-time deliverance of healthcare through global communications.

ABOUT ARMENIA FUND USA: ARMENIA FUND USA, founded in 1992, was the first of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s 19 international affiliates and serves constituents in all states east of the Mississippi. As a non-profit, non-governmental, nonsectarian organization, the Fund represents all Armenian constituents.

Armenia Fund USA is the largest contributor among the 19 international affiliates – supporting strategic infrastructure projects in Armenia and Karabakh, and having helped build 138 miles of roads, 100 miles of waterways, 36 schools, 3 electric transmission networks, 210 residential buildings and 15 healthcare institutions.

Armenia Fund USA’s Mission is the development of strategic socio-economic infrastructure in Armenia and Karabakh, focusing on major projects such as major highways, schools, drinking water to communities and humanitarian programs in education, training and medical facilities. The Fund has adopted a policy to go “Beyond Bricks and Mortar” to provide sustainability for projects it sponsors.

To learn more about Armenia Fund USA, please visit our website at
www.ArmeniaFundUSA.org or call us at 212-689-5307.

Armenia Fund USA
80 Maiden Lane, Suite 301
New York, NY 10038