Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: info@aaainc.org
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
December 7, 2008
Contact: Michael A Zachariades
Email: mzachariades@aaainc.org
Phone: (202) 393-3434
ASSEMBLY COMMEMORATES 20th ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIA’s EARTHQUAKE
Washington, DC – On the 20th anniversary of the earthquake that
devastated much of Northern Armenia, the Armenian Assembly of America
(Assembly) once again thanks the private American organizations, U.S.
Members of Congress and Administration officials of the time for
contributing to an unprecedented effort to provide for the needs of the
hundreds of thousands of survivors.
`On this solemn occasion, we pause to remember the victims and the
survivors of the devastating earthquake that claimed the lives of so
many,’ said Assembly Chairman of the Board of Trustees Hirair
Hovnanian. `We also recall the tremendous outpouring of support and
compassion from people in America and abroad. The emergency response of
the U.S. Government was immediate and generous.’
The 1988 earthquake registered 6.9 on the Richter Scale and struck
without warning, resulting in at least 25,000 deaths and an estimated
50,000 injured. The disaster affected 20 cities and over 350 villages,
completely destroying 58 villages and leaving 1 in 7 Armenians homeless.
During this critical time, the Assembly joined other organizations in
providing assistance to the people of Armenia and established a special
earthquake relief fund, swiftly raising over $4 million in
contributions. The Assembly led a delegation of medical personnel to
Armenia to view the destruction firsthand and determine ways in which
the U.S. could provide additional assistance.
With 80 percent of Gyumri, the second largest city in Armenia,
destroyed, the U.S. government sent nearly $9.5 million in aid to
Armenia and private U.S. organizations contributed over $40 million.
Damage was estimated to be $16.2 billion.
The Assembly’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees Hirair Hovnanian made
several trips to Armenia after the earthquake to meet with government
officials and assess the needs. The Assembly made the decision to build
a factory complex to construct prefabricated housing for the earthquake
victims and opened its first office in Yerevan on February 4, 1989, to
help coordinate relief efforts.
Hovnanian is in Armenia and will be participating in several
commemorative events in honor of the victims and survivors of the
earthquake. He will be accompanied by Arpi Vartanian, Assembly Country
Director for Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. `We can never forget the
massive destruction and despair that rocked Armenia 20 years ago and we
must also look to the future as we continue to support efforts to
rebuild Armenia and to develop its economy,’ said Vartanian. `Since
the earthquake, much work has been done to rebuild the
earthquake-ravaged areas and to heal the trauma of the survivors. While
for many, the rebuilding was not fast enough, and in fact, work still
continues, the worldwide efforts to address the overwhelming and
immediate needs must be commended. Every individual who contributed is a
hero.’
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.
###
Editor’s Note
To read the 1991 Armenian Earthquake Fact Sheet, please follow the link
below:
c/pdf_2008_recent/1988_Earthquake_Fact_Sheet.pdf