Anc Australia Advocates For Aid To Armenians In Syria

ANC AUSTRALIA ADVOCATES FOR AID TO ARMENIANS IN SYRIA

November 26, 2012

The Peak Public Affairs Committee of the Armenian-Australian Community

CANBERRA: The Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC
Australia) has announced it is working with the Australian Agency
for International Development (AusAID) and the Department of Foreign
Affairs & Trade (DFAT) in securing an aid package for Syrian-Armenians
who have fled to the Republic of Armenia.

The ongoing conflict in Syria has had considerable impact on the
Armenian community in Syria, which numbers at more than 90,000.

Thousands of families, including many children, have fled to the
Republic of Armenia with limited resources.

Australia has become the third-largest international donor of aid to
victims with a current assistance package of $24.5 million.

On November 22nd, the Hon. Walt Secord MLC added his voice in support
of the Syrian-Armenian community, and the efforts to deliver to them
some of the Australian government’s assistance package.

Secord said: “I will note my concerns regarding the plight of Armenians
in Syria as events continue to unfold. Just last month an important
Armenian church in Aleppo was set ablaze and Armenians were kidnapped.”

“I know that members of the local Armenian community are worried about
their loved ones in Syria. My thoughts are with them at this time.”

He added: “I support the Australian Government’s commitment through
AusAID, pledging $24.5 million to help refugees in the region.”

“I also acknowledge efforts by the Armenian National Committee of
Australia to extend that support to Syrian refugees who have fled to
Armenia in their thousands.”

ANC Australia Executive Director, Vache Kahramanian stated: “The
conflict in Syria is grave and we are engaged with the Australian
government to ensure an allocation of the $24.5 million is provided to
aid agencies in Armenia. Full details will be announced in due course.”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress