For Immediate Release
February 16, 2009

ARMENIA FUND COMPLETES VITAL PROJECT IN SYUNIK, TAKES ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF WATER MAIN IN NRNADZOR

NEW YORK, New York — Armenia Fund is pleased to announce the successful completion of a lighting project in Syunik region of Armenia, and the initiation of the construction of Nrnadzor water main. The lighting systems, with a total cost of seven million Armenian Drams, were restored in Shvanizor, Alvank and Nrnadzor communities of Syunik region in Armenia. The project was sponsored by the Teheran Armenian community. The completion of this urgently needed project has finally resolved the problem of outer lighting in these villages: over 20 new lighting columns have been installed along all the roads that connect the village communities.

Teheran’s Diasporans have also provided support for the construction of a new water main in Nrnadzor village. The first phase of the two-phased drinking water supply restoration is completed, and the newly built water intake station now ensures the smooth and uninterrupted functioning of a 1,200 meter long new water pipeline. The completion of the second phase entails the construction of a water supply inner network, two reservoirs (with 50 cubic meter capacity each) and a pump station that will allow the passage of irrigation and drinking water to each and every household of the village.

“Meghri is considered the southern gate of Armenia, and is, undoubtedly, of great strategic importance for our country. In that sense, Armenia Fun’s decision to implement the project in these particular areas was not a random selection, but rather an economically prudent assessment,” says Ara Vardanian, the Fund’s Acting Executive Director.

Agriculture still remains an important sector of Armenia’s rural economy, and a reliable source of income for village communities, especially in the border villages of the country. The adequate supply of irrigation and drinking water is a crucial step towards development in the region. As a continuation of its Rural Development Program, the Fund will undertake further projects in Shvanizor, Alvank and Nrnadzor to provide these communities with up-to-date agricultural machinery and fertilizers to increase productivity and reduce farming costs.

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