Armenian Relief Society – Australia
259 Penshurst Street, Willoughby NSW 2068 ~ PO Box 768, Willoughby NSW 2068
Tel : (02) 9413 3784 ~ Fax : (02) 9411 8898
16 October, 2007
PRESS RELEASE
{CONTACT: Haig Kayserian (Communications Officer) ~ 0403 317 903}
$1.4MILLION SECURED FOR ARMENIAN RELIEF SOCIETY HEALTHCARE PROJECT
SYDNEY: Australian Prime Minister John Howard has approved $1.432million
($1.25million USD) in funding to the Armenian Relief Society’s Gyumri Mother
and Child Health Care Centre project. The announcement was read by Federal
Cabinet Minister Joe Hockey before 2000 Armenian-Australians attending
Armenian Family Day – Rally for Genocide Recognition at Eastwood Park on
Sunday.
The Prime Minister’s statement read: "I am pleased to announce that, in
response to a request from the Armenian National Committee of Australia, the
Government will provide up to $1.4 million to the Armenian Relief Society
(ARS) for support to the Gyumri Mother and Child Health Care Centre."
It continued: "The centre was established in 1997 and provides maternal and
child health services in the Shirak province of Armenia, serving
approximately 50,000 people. Australian assistance will be used to update
surgical equipment, renovate and expand the main Health Centre building and
finance the purchase of an ambulance and other specialist equipment for the
newly established Diagnostic Centre."
ARS Australia Chairperson, Ms Suzy Sarafian welcomed the announcement,
stating: "On behalf of 22,000 ARS members worldwide and the
Armenian-Australian community, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude
for this significant funding announcement."
She added: "The aid will help further reduce the infant mortality rate in
the Armenian region, as well as provide medical assistance to mothers away
>From the city centre."
Mr. Varant Meguerditchian, President of the Armenian National Committee of
Australia, joined the ARS in thanking Minister Hockey after the
announcement.
He said: "The Australian Government’s commitment to provide humanitarian aid
to the people of Armenia pays tribute to the generosity of the Australian
people and almost a century on, echoes Australian efforts to assist Armenian
refugees in the years immediately following the Armenian Genocide."
[End]
The Armenian Relief Society is the oldest Armenian women’s organisation,
established in 1910 in New York City. Since its foundation, the ARS has
provided educational and humanitarian assistance to Armenians everywhere.
Today, the ARS has entities in 24 countries including Australia where
members of the Society contribute to their communities and the larger world
for the betterment of all humankind.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
