For Immediate Release
March 31, 2007

ARMENIA FUND USA AND HEIFER INTERNATIONAL REPORT PROGRESS ON JOINT PROJECT IN MARDAKERT

NEW YORK, New York – Armenia Fund USA is pleased to announce that the joint initiative implemented in partnership with Heifer International reports progress in Mardakert region of Karabakh. Rebuilding Lives in Mardakert started in July 2006 as a pilot project to help families overcome socio-economic hardships and increase agricultural resources through provision of adequate agricultural inputs and training in farming practices. Today, Heifer Caucasus Regional Office reports significant progress in the socio-economic conditions of beneficiary families in the villages of Talish, Mokhratagh, Jankatagh and Vardadzor involved in the program.

By 2009, families will have improved their family nutrition by at least 40% and socio-economic conditions by at least 20%

After a careful needs assessment, 57 families were selected to receive pregnant cows with the premise that the calves will be passed on to other families expanding the scope of the project. Adoption of best practices and passing on a gift are two essential cornerstones of Heifer International, an international non-profit organization that combats poverty through self-reliance and sustainability. Based on program estimates, by the end of 2009, all the beneficiary families will have improved their family nutrition by at least 40% and socio-economic conditions by at least 20%.

The villages were chosen based on necessity and socio-economic well-being. Mardakert region suffered a devastating war in 1994, and the social infrastructure of the communities was destroyed. A great number of families lost their labor force and ability to sustain minimal living conditions. The overwhelming majority of the population is unemployed, and the only means of survival is agriculture.

Armenia Fund USA’s partnership with Heifer is part of a larger initiative – Regional Development of Karabakh that was launched in 2005. The large-scale program is on-going and aims at reviving rural communities through the establishment of agricultural development associations that provide technical support and improved agricultural practices. It involves rebuilding irrigation and drinking water systems, rehabilitation of schools and medical facilities, and reconstruction of access roads.

ABOUT 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.

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