Near East Foundation To Be Honored at Armenian Genocide Tribute

Reuters Alert, UK
Feb 17 2005

Source: NGO latest

By 1930, Near East Relief had raised more than $110 million for this
humanitarian work, fed more than twelve million people, gave medical
aid to six million, cared for and educated over 135,000 orphans,
and saved at least a million lives.

Rabih Yazbeck, Near East Foundation

Ryan LaHurd, president of the Near East Foundation, and the consul
generals from Cyprus, Syria, Ethiopia and Uruguay will be among those
honored by the Armenian community for their efforts in supporting
survivors of the Armenian Genocide at the “International Relief,
Refuge, and Recognition Tribute.”

The tribute, to be held February 24 at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in
Los Angeles, is one of a series of local, national and international
events commemorating and raising awareness of the 90th anniversary
of the Armenian genocide. Founded in response to the genocide,
the Near East Foundation also celebrates its 90th anniversary in
2005. The Armenian event is being organized by the Armenian Assembly,
the Armenian General Benevolent Union and the Western Diocese of the
Armenian Church.

>>From 1915 until 1930, Near East Relief (the Near East Foundation’s
original name) administered $117,000,000 to those in need. Very early
in the relief effort, attention focused on helping rescued orphans
to become self-supporting and contributing members of the communities
that absorbed them. Cyprus, Syria, Ethiopia and Uruguay opened their
doors and now are home to well-established Armenian communities.

Commented Western Office Chairman Richard Mushegain, “Near East Relief
is credited with saving hundreds of thousands of Armenians and making
possible productive futures for more than 130,000 orphans.”

Last October the Near East Foundation received the 2004 Freedom Award
from the Armenian National Committee of America, Western Region–their
most prestigious “for your organization’s longstanding history of
aiding the Armenian people and others in their darkest hours.”

[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and
not of Reuters. ]