PRESS RELEASE
Armenian General Benevolent Union Inc.
Viken L. Attarian
Chairman
805, Manoogian street
Ville St-Laurent, QC H4N 1Z5
Tel: 514-748-2428
Fax: 514-748-6307
E-mail: agbumontreal@bellnet.ca
Website:
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AGBU CANADA TO BUILD NEW VILLAGE IN NKR
Montreal, May 30, 2006 – AGBU Montreal has joined forces with AGBU Toronto
and other Armenian communities in Vancouver, Ottawa and Calgary to build a
new village called Nor Jraberd in the Mardakert region of Nagorno-Karabakh
(NKR) for refugees who lost their lands and homes during the war. This is
part of AGBU’s Karabakh Repopulation Project, which plans to adopt new
villages during its Centennial and beyond.
The NKR Government will provide the land for homes and farming in Nor
Jraberd, the necessary infrastructure (roads, electricity and water), and a
five-year exemption from taxes and start-up payment per settler. AGBU Canada
will build the homes and an entire community, complete with a kindergarten,
school, outdoor sports facilities, medical centre, pharmacy, ambulance,
church, museum and more. Thirty-two families are already waiting to settle
into the new village. The cost of each home is about US$15,000, but more
funds are required to complete a viable village.
`We believe that the most valuable capital of a country is its happy and
satisfied population,’ says Mego Malkhassian, the Canadian project manager.
`And it is our objective to build this new village for the people – to give
them land, homes, work and possibility to live happily.’
Nor Jraberd will be the third village built by AGBU – the first two, Norashen
and Pareshen, both located in the region of Hadrut, were funded by AGBU
France and AGBU London, respectively. Today Norashen is home to 100
residents, 23 houses, a kindergarten, primary school and medical centre; and
the construction of homes is underway in Pareshen, which was established at
the end of last year.
`Now it is our turn to show our colours,’ adds Malkhassian. `This is a major
challenge that we are undertaking, and we are convinced that with the
support of our Canadian-Armenians, we will achieve it successfully.’
Historical background
During the war, about 150 villages and towns in NKR were destroyed. More
than 11,000 private homes and 226 multi-story residential
buildings – representing 60% of all housing in NKR – were completely or
partially ruined. NKR’s health-care system nearly collapsed – 17 clinics and
70 first-aid stations were abolished. The war devastated NKR’s educational
system, too – 200 educational institutions, 121 theatres, museums and cultural
centres, and more than 500 other social or economic facilities were wiped
out.
If you would like to contribute to the NKR Repopulation Project or to learn
about our upcoming events, please visit us at