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From: Sebouh Z Tashjian <seb_tashjian@hotmail.com>
Subject: Refugees will have houses
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| 18:46:06 | 06-06-2005 | Social |

REFUGEES WILL HAVE HOUSES

The Tufenkian Foundation today announced a generous gift by Dr. Alber
Karamanoukian toward its ongoing efforts to promote Karabagh’s resettlement.
Dr. Karamanoukian’s gift of $20,000 will underwrite the construction of one
house and associated facilities in Arajamough, a new village the Foundation
is building in Karabagh’s border regions.

Begun in 2004, Arajamough currently houses 25 resettlers, consisting of 6
families, most of them refugees from Azerbaijan. The village will welcome
another 6 families this fall. The Tufenkian Foundation is committed to
building and resettling at least 6 houses per year until the Arajamough
project is completed.

`We are grateful to Dr. Karamanoukian for his generous support of this
project,’ stated Antranig Kasbarian, a Program Director with the Foundation.
`Indeed, his support for resettlement extends beyond this project and toward
the larger vision of fortifying Artsakh – particularly its vulnerable border
regions – as a crucial component of our national security.’

In turn, Dr. Karamanoukian praised the Foundation for its efforts.
`Resettling Karabagh is of vital importance, particularly when many people
still lack decent housing, facilities, and especially jobs. I commend the
Foundation’s commitment to raising the bar in each of these fields, and urge
others to join the effort to consolidate our victories on the ground. ‘

The Arajamough project features newly built houses with modern amenities.
Alongside these, the Tufenkian Foundation is providing water, power lines,
gravel roads, as well as administrative support in bolstering the village.
Future plans include animal husbandry and land cultivation, in order to
provide sustainable livelihoods and to spur economic growth in surrounding
areas.

`Our view of resettlement is an integrated one, and moves beyond the usual
humanitarian-subsistence approaches,’ stated Kasbarian. `The Karabagh war
created many thousands of refugees and homeless persons; some of these have
left the area entirely, while many others continue to eke out an existence
in ruined areas amidst primitive conditions. Under such circumstances, our
very existence on these lands remains tenuous. If we are to attract
Armenians back and solidify our presence, then clearly having a roof over
one’s head is not enough. Rather, people must gain hope that there is a
future living on these lands, which is why modern facilities,
infrastructure, and the promise of economic activity are essential as well.”

Dr. Karamanoukian is a prominent physician and businessman based in
Glendale, California. He has a long record of philanthropy toward Armenian
causes.