For Immediate Release
July 20, 2007

1992–2007: Celebrating 15 years of nation-building in Armenia and Karabakh

ARMENIA FUND 1993–1994

NEW YORK, New York — The year 2007 marks the 15th Anniversary of Armenia Fund, a pillar organization created after Armenia’s independence and mandated with the vital task of uniting all Armenians around the world to direct efforts toward development and revival of the nation. For 15 years the Fund, with its 19 affiliates across the globe, has touched countless lives in Armenia and Karabakh. Combining aid, development and direct investment, Armenia Fund has engaged Armenia’s leaders, its people and the worldwide Diaspora to promote education, create jobs, improve public health and develop infrastructure, among other critical humanitarian needs. Today, Armenia Fund’s contributions to social and economic prosperity of Armenia and Karabakh are unprecedented.

The 15th Anniversary of Armenia Fund is a celebration of the past, present and future of the Armenian people. It is a celebration of overcoming challenges by working together. Above all, it is a celebration of humanity, courage and hope.

Yet, 15 years ago…

ARMENIA FUND 1993 – 1994

“A wonderful opportunity is given to our nation if we are able to appreciate that opportunity. The name of that opportunity is ‘Armenia Fund’ – the hub that so closely connects Armenia with the Diaspora giving our organization a nation-building task. I call upon our sons and daughters in different parts of the world. If you want to see a strengthened Armenia – this is the time. This is the time to direct our words and deeds towards one aim – reviving our beloved Motherland”. These are the words with which Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin I addressed the first assembly of trustees of Armenia Fund in 1993.

Following the Spitak 1988 earthquake, Armenia Fund directed its efforts to building close to 3,000 apartments in the Earthquake Zone

The years 1993-1994 were most definitive for Armenia Fund. The need for prompt action dictated its mission, and a broad responsibility emerged to overcome hardships plaguing Armenia and Karabakh at one of the most critical periods for the nation. Established with a strategic vision, Armenia Fund focused on projects that addressed immediate humanitarian needs.

Armenia Fund initiated a house-building humanitarian program providing housing to those left without shelter in Spital, Gyumri, Vanadzor, and Stepanavan.

The Fund’s first major initiative was the $22 million Winter Humanitarian Project, which alleviated pressing social needs. The energy crisis that followed Armenia’s independence left the majority of the population vulnerable to cold bitter winters. With the electricity and gas supplies disrupted, schools, kindergartens and other public facilities were shut down, and residential buildings became sole cold shelters of misery and hopelessness. Armenia Fund’s Winter 93-94 program saved countless lives by providing kerosene and heaters to vulnerable families, educational institutions and medical facilities.

At the same time the Fund initiated a house-building program following the Spitak 1988 earthquake, providing accommodation to those left without shelter in Gyumri, Vanadzor, Stepanavan and Spitak. This was a major humanitarian undertaking that allowed hundreds of families to move to secure new homes from their temporary wooden shelters. “Disaster zone” was the name given to the north-western part of the country to demarcate the earthquake affected communities. This is where Armenia Fund directed its efforts building close to 3,000 apartments in the first phase alone. Armenia Fund also reconstructed The State Pedagogical University of Gyumri.

A classroom in a dilapidated condition a school in Gyumri, 1993

The Gyumri school 2 years after Armenia Fund rebuilt the entire school complex.

Another important necessity in those years was the preservation of dozens of major architectural institutes and engineering factories. In a country where economic activity became close to non-existent, the initiation of large-scale infrastructure development projects provided hundreds of people with much needed jobs and prevented the exodus of highly-skilled professionals. Armenia Fund was also one of the very first organizations to promote fair bidding practices for large-scale construction projects and establish solid accountability benchmarks for the various humanitarian programs it sponsored.

Active for only two years, Armenia Fund became an important part of Armenian reality from 1993-1994. The Fund stood closely to the people at a time of trial, adjusting its mission to the needs of a fledging nation.

Over the past 15 years, Armenia Fund has invested more than $170 million in sustainable development in Armenia and Karabakh. This makes the Fund the largest contributor to critical infrastructure projects in all aspects of social and economic activity. Securing long-term development solutions, the Fund has had an outstanding impact on the lives of countless citizens of Armenia and Karabakh. Armenia Fund has evolved over the years into an organization that has an unprecedented track record of affecting change. In recognition to its development work, Armenia Fund was accredited to the United Nations in spring of 2006, as one of the most credible international organizations working in Armenia and Karabakh.

To recognize and thank the Diaspora for its 15 years of continuous support to Armenia and Karabakh, Armenia Fund will hold a 15th Anniversary Gala Banquet at the United Nations on October 6, 2007. Join Armenia Fund as it celebrates the tenacity of the Armenian people and strength of the Armenian Diaspora!

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