PRESS RELEASE
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
Contact: Information Desk
Tel: (374-1) 52-35-31
Email: information@armeniaForeignMinistry.com
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Armenia Aids Tsunami Victims

Minister Oskanian announced today¹s decision by the Armenian government to
provide short and long-term assistance to victims of the South East Asian
tsunami disaster.

After having received the necessary information from the governments of the
countries affected by the catastrophe, at the cabinet meeting of Thursday,
January 13, the government determined to allocate $50,000 to provide Sri
Lanka with blankets and mobile generators, per their request. In addition,
the Armenian government will provide aid in the same amount to Indonesia,
whose government has requested medical and educational personnel and
materials.

Deputy Foreign Minister Armen Baibourtian, who recently concluded his term
as Armenia¹s ambassador to India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Nepal, said, ³We
are calling for volunteers from Armenia and the Diaspora who are ready and
willing to offer their professional services to those who have suffered so
much. Those in the health and mental health fields are sorely needed and can
be of great help in offering post-traumatic assistance. Armenia has been the
recipient of such largesse and Armenians are eager to do their share in this
recovery effort.”

The Foreign Ministry is working with the appropriate Armenian agencies to
transport the materials and the personnel. Deputy Minister Baibourtian also
explained that the Foreign Ministry is cooperating with the Armenian
communities of Australia, India and Thailand to provide additional support.

The Indonesians have lost schools and therefore are in need of teaching
materials and stationery supplies. The Armenian government will work with
the Armenian community of Australia to procure such resources and make them
available.

The Armenian-Indian community, too, has mobilized its resources and provided
services to the tsunami victims of India. The Armenian government has worked
with the Indian-Armenian community and the Chairperson of the Armenian
Church Committee in Calcutta, Mrs. Sonia John, in order to provide this
internal assistance, given the Indian government¹s principled position not
to accept foreign assistance. The Armenian Holy Church of Nazareth sent the
equivalent of $210,000 to the Prime Minister¹s National Relief Fund. In
addition, the Armenian Government has offered that post-traumatic
rehabilitation be made available at the Red Cross Hospital in Yerevan.

Finally, in Thailand, through the leadership and generosity of Armenia¹s
Honorary Consul in Bangkok, Mr. Bob Kevorkian, monetary assistance and
housing construction has been offered to Thailand¹s tsunami victims.