OFFICE OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC IN THE USA
122 C Street, NW, Suite 360, Washington, D.C. 20001
Tel: (202) 347-5166
Fax: (202) 347-5168
E-mail: [email protected]
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PRESS RELEASE
May 10, 2004
FIVE ARTSAKH CHILDREN RECEIVE ASSISTANCE FOR THEIR MEDICAL TREATMENT OUTSIDE
NAGORNO KARABAKH
John Kchikian of the Armenian Children’s Relief Fund awarded prestigious
Gratitude Medal
WASHINGTON, DC – The Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic announced today
that five more Artsakh children, whose medical conditions required
treatments outside the republic, received benevolent assistance. This direct
financial aid, made possible largely by a recent $10,000 grant from the
Cafesjian Family Foundation and provided through the Armenian Children’s
Relief Fund, will be used to organize and finance medical treatment of these
children outside Nagorno Karabakh.
A special committee has been created to oversee the proper distribution and
use of the humanitarian assistance. The Committee on Implementation of
Medical Assistance Projects (CIMAP) includes representatives of Ministries
of Health, Social Security and Foreign Affairs, a local non-governmental
organization, Motherhood, and a local liaison of the U.S.-based Americans
for Artsakh organization.
CIMAP received and reviewed applications for financial assistance and, after
scrupulous consideration, decided on the amount of financial aid to be
provided. It also outlined financial reporting guidelines for recipient
families. The five families agreed to use the funds exclusively for medical
treatment and associated expenses and to report to the committee on the
results.
The Armenian Children’s Relief Fund, under the leadership of its founder and
chairman John Kchikian, has provided over $300,000 in humanitarian
assistance for reconstruction of schools, repair of drinking water mains,
and as medical aid for dozens of veterans and children. In recognition of
Mr. Kchikian’s ongoing patriotic support of Artsakh, on April 7, 2004, the
Artsakh-based Motherhood organization awarded him with its prestigious
Gratitude Medal. Among past recipients of the award are NKR President Arkady
Ghoukasian, former Armenian Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsian, and Baroness
Caroline Cox.
Since 1998, the Cafesjian Family Foundation (CFF) has awarded more than $1.3
million in grant assistance to benefit Nagorno Karabakh, including the
sponsorship of major infrastructure projects such as the Goris-Stepanakert
and North-South highways. The grants also included some $80,000 for
reconstruction of a major school in Stepanakert and $50,000 for landmine
clearing efforts. Since 2001, the Foundation has sponsored the NKR Office,
Artsakh’s representation in the United States. In October 2003, President
Ghoukasian met with CFF President and CEO Gerard L. Cafesjian to thank him
again for his outstanding contribution to Artsakh’s overall success.
“Artsakh is very lucky to have committed Armenians like Mr. Cafesjian and
Mr. Kchikian on its side,” said Nagorno Karabakh Representative Vardan
Barseghian. “The needs are often greater than we can shoulder and we thank
those who understand the importance of continued assistance to Artsakh. Only
together can we achieve our common vision of a secure and prosperous
Homeland.”
The Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States is based in
Washington, DC and works with the U.S. government, academia and the public
representing the official policies and interests of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic.
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This material is distributed by the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
in the USA on behalf of the Government of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. The
NKR Office is registered with the U.S. Government under the Foreign Agent
Registration Act. Additional information is available at the Department of
Justice, Washington, D.C.