Armenia Fund USA, Inc.
80 Maiden Lane, S-301,
New York, NY 10038, U.S.A.
T/1-212-689-5307
F/1-212-689-5317
http://ww w.armeniafundusa.org
E-mail: [email protected]
Armenia Fund 1999-2000
1992-2007: Celebrating 15 years of nation-building in Armenia and Karabakh
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 international 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.
Armenia Fund 1999-2000
Armenia has come a long way since the economic and energy crisis that hit
the country after the Soviet Union’s collapse. Signs of a balanced, yet weak
economic recovery started to emerge in 1999. Following the immense
deterioration of the situation from 1991-1995, Armenia’s economy rebounded
and grew at 5.7 percent on average from 1996-2000. While the implementation
of economic and social reforms brought improvements, it had insignificant
initial impact on poverty eradication across the region. This is where funds
for reconstruction that came through grants invested by the Armenian
Diaspora worldwide played a crucial role.
Armenia Fund, having developed into one of the most trusted organizations
channeling development aid into Armenia and Artsakh, took on a strategic
task. The organization expanded its operations significantly from 1999-2000,
doubling the number of projects in education, public health and
infrastructure.
If any large-scale strategic initiative is to characterize Armenia Fund’s
achievements as a whole, the North-South Highway, started in Karabakh in
2000, will undoubtedly top the list. The $25 million highway that extends
about 100 miles, connecting 150 towns and villages throughout Artsakh, took
the name "backbone of Karabakh" and became a landmark undertaking. Embodying
the united efforts of the Diaspora, the road symbolized economic revival and
security.
The Vanadzor School, the oldest and most famous school in the Lori Marz in
Armenia, was adopted by Armenia Fund following the plea from Armenia’s
President Robert Kocharian that the rebuilding of the earthquake-ravaged
landmark institution be a priority. Established before the outbreak of World
War II, the school prided itself in having among its graduates Armenia’s
leading artists, politicians, scientists and writers. Although damaged and
in need of repairs following its use as a military hospital during the War,
it nevertheless taught up to 1,100 students before the devastating
earthquake that rendered the structure virtually unusable. Armenia, a
one-time country that boasted 100 percent literacy rate of its citizens,
suddenly faced a disruption of its educational system.
Armenia Fund’s $650,000 campaign not only restored the existing
infrastructure of the school, but also provided more classrooms,
laboratories, computer facilities, a new cafeteria, library and a sport
complex. More than 1,500 donors and supporters became part of this inspiring
project. Impressed not only with the experience, but also with Armenia
Fund’s "Beyond Bricks and Mortar" policy that required community
involvement, the World Bank approved an Institution Building Grant for the
Vanadzor School to establish standards of day-to-day management, principles
of accountability, and a local governance committee, in effect a
parent-teacher association, a novel concept for Armenia.
A pilot outreach program in 1999 was the Waterways Initiative in the
Aknaberd village of Martakert, Nagorno-Karabakh. The village, mostly
populated by refugees of war, had no functioning water infrastructure. Lack
of potable water undermined basic sanitation and put the entire village with
its surrounding neighborhoods under the risk of numerous diseases brought by
contaminated supplies. Armenia Fund led an aggressive campaign, not only
reconstructing water infrastructure but also cleaning the existing water
supplies. Similar, but bigger in scope, water projects were successfully
completed in other villages of Mardakert, Shushi, Askeran, Hadrut and
Kashatagh regions, as well as in Stepanakert.
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!