For Immediate Release
November 30, 2006

THE 9TH INTERNATIONAL ARMENIA FUND TELETHON RAISES UNPRECEDENTED $13.7 MILLION IN PLEDGES TO REVITALIZE VILLAGES OF KARABAKH

NEW YORK, New York – Armenia Fund USA is pleased to announce that the 9th International Armenia Fund Telethon recorded an unprecedented success raising more than $13.7 million in pledges to benefit the war-ravaged villages in the south of Nagorno-Karabakh. Los Angeles, New York, Paris, Yerevan – echoing throughout cities and continents, the Telethon was aired on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2006 uniting hearts and minds of Armenians around the world. The ambitious goal to revitalize villages of Hadrut in the south of Karabakh involves implementing an agricultural development program, creating jobs for farmers, building schools and healthcare centers, roads and water pipelines. Funds for this critically needed project have been secured by the combined efforts of the 20 affiliates of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund.

The Telethon, which was broadcasted in more than 20 major cities throughout the United States, as well as in all continents via satellite, streaming live on internet for 12 hours, marks the highest result ever achieved by almost doubling last year’s result of $7.7 million. President of Nagorno-Karabakh Arkady Ghoukassian, and Primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan were present with many honored guests and program participants at the Glendale Studios, where the Telethon traditionally originates from, to rally support for the Fund. Armenia Fund USA Chairman Kevork Toroyan, Chairman-elect Raffi Festekjian, and other prominent community leaders joined the live Telethon from a Boston studio appealing to each and every Armenian to be part of the drive. “Our development efforts target the war-torn villages for creating jobs and bringing hope to the families. We want to give them the means to sustain their households so that they can build the schools and hospitals and everything else they need. This is why it is so important to make this happen. Small or large donations do not matter, what is important is your participation. This is your vote for a better future for Armenia and Karabakh”, says Chairman Toroyan.

Proceeds from the Telethon will benefit the regional development of Hadrut and its cluster of villages. Launched last year by all 20 affiliates of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, the project encompasses all key aspects of socio-economic development – creation of jobs, access to education, proper healthcare, and clean water, as well as reconstruction of critically needed infrastructure. “The unprecedented success of this Telethon is a result of the Diaspora’s unshakeable belief in the mission of our unique organization that unites all Armenians around the world under one mission – building stronger, viable Armenia. The consistent transparency of the Fund through rigorous international audits, strict accounting practices, and oversight mechanisms by the Diaspora have reinforced the public’s resolve to help Armenia and Artsakh”, said Executive Director of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund Naira Melkoumian.

For the first time donations from Armenia and Artsakh surpassed $1.54 million. The 20 affiliates of the Fund stretching all over the globe were instrumental in the success of the fundraising effort. The Canadian Toronto affiliate has raised more than $300,000, the Argentinean affiliate, Fundo Nacional Armenia, organized a benefit concert in Buenos Aires. The French affiliate raised more than $1.5 million through a Phon-a-thon campaign, and the German affiliate pledged more than $60,000.

Among the largest donors of Telethon 2006 were: Lincy Foundation, Project CURE, Vahe Karapetian, Jerry Turpanjian, Ara Abrahamyan, Louise Manoogian Simone, Sarkis Acopian, Tigran Movsesian, AGBU Manoogian-Demirjian School, Levon and Grigor Termendjian, Mikhail Baghdasarov, Vivacell, Arkady Ovannessian, Samvel Alexanian, and Ruben Hayrapetyan.

If you were unable to watch the Telethon, you can still make you Telethon Donation online.

Armenia Fund USA, with its international affiliates, has had a strong and measurable impact on the development of Karabakh and Armenia since independence. The organization remains the largest contributor to socio-economic infrastructure projects there since 1992, having invested more than $150 million in large-scale infrastructure.

ABOUT ARMENIA FUND USA: ARMENIA FUND USA, founded in 1992, was one of 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. The Fund has adopted a policy to go “Beyond Bricks and Mortar” to provide sustainability for projects it sponsors.

Armenia Fund USA and its worldwide affiliates have invested more than $150 million in sustainable development in Armenia and Karabakh. This makes the Fund the largest contributor to critical infrastructure projects in almost all aspects of socio-economic activity.

The list of completed projects include:

• 138 miles of highways
• 59 schools
• 20 hospitals and healthcare clinics
• 81 miles of drinking water pipeline
• 222 housing projects
• 3 major electric transmission networks

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