Description
Following the 1988 Spitak Earthquake, tens of thousands of people were left homeless in the City of Gyumri. Many of these families took refuge in the overseas shipping containers (domiks) that were shipped into Armenia loaded with humanitarian relief supplies, or in condemned buildings. An entire generation of children has grown up in deplorable conditions, often times with no running water and little or no heat. The Armenian government has provided most of the families that lost their homes in the Earthquake with new housing units.
As people moved out of those makeshift housing units, others moved in. The 2,500 or so families that remain are Gyumri’s desolate families, who are not in line to receive a government provided apartment. Many of these families are comprised of single mothers, multiple children and/or the disabled.
This project will identify suitable needy families who can be moved into a new apartment and can demonstrate that they can afford their monthly utilities, etc. This is a sustainable model in that families that have been moved into permanent housing in the past have had a high degree of success maintaining their families and their new homes.
Once the move is complete, the make shift housing unit will be destroyed to prevent its future occupancy.
The Need
Several homes in these frontier communities were damaged to varying degrees and need immediate repair. Villagers need to know that the diaspora stands with them in this time of need.
Short Term Impact
As funding becomes available, homes with the greatest need for repairs will be addressed in a priority manner. Reconstruction materials will be purchased locally and the work will be completed with local labor crews.
Long Term Impact
In the long term, homes in these communities will be improved beyond their previous condition. In addition, quickly removing these scars of war will improve villager’s attitudes and moral, which is equally as important as their living conditions.
Sponsors Benefits
All sponsors of this important project will be listed on The Paros Foundation’s website and in all press related to this project. Visits to these communities can be arranged for sponsors visiting Armenia.
Our Donors (55)
- Anonymous $60 Nov 12, 2022
- Anonymous $30 Nov 7, 2022
- Anonymous $30 Oct 12, 2022
- Anonymous $30 Oct 7, 2022
- Anonymous $60 Sep 12, 2022
- Anonymous $30 Aug 12, 2022
- Anonymous $30 Aug 7, 2022
- Anonymous $60 Jul 12, 2022
- Anonymous $5,000 Jun 12, 2022
- Anonymous $30 Jun 12, 2022
- Anonymous $30 Jun 7, 2022
- Anonymous $60 May 12, 2022
Updates: Images & Information
Members of The Paros Foundation team joined Tavush Governor Hayk Chobanyan, Berd Consolidated Communities head Harutyun Manucharyan, representatives of the Prime Minister’s office, and local village representatives to visit the Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur, Aygepar and Chinari communities to assess the damage and to strategize and coordinate the next steps forward.
The kindergarten in the village of Aygepar was hit by Azeri artillery this morning. We had finished the complete renovation of this kindergarten in 2018 and will assess the damage and rebuild again as soon as possible! We build, they destroy!
Â
A video shows the protests in Baku calling on a resumption of war with Armenia.