FUNDS RAISED DURING PHONEATHON 2009 HELP REBUILD ASKERAN WATER AND SEWER SYSTEMS

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 12, 2010 – 13:41 AMT 08:41 GMT

The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund has launched a major infrastructure
project in Askeran, NKR, seeking to rebuild its crumbling potable-water
and sewer networks. The initiative is co-financed by the Fund’s French
affiliate – through donations received during the 2009 Pan-European
Phoneathon – and the government of Artsakh, the Fund said in a press
release.

Commenting on the urgent issues Askeran is facing today, Albert
Avanesyan, head of the region’s Urban Development Department,
identified the potable-water problem as the most urgent. Currently
drinking water reaches Askeran through rusted pipes and at minimal
volume – due to water loss caused by an extensively damaged network.

Askeran’s aging sewer system is also in a state of disrepair, posing
serious health risks.

Avanesyan added that another obstacle affecting development of the
town is the recent decline in the number of marriages, a phenomenon
brought on by the lack of affordable housing.

With the earthwork already completed, construction crews are now
rebuilding Askeran’s internal water-distribution system by installing
new pipes, which by the project’s end will cover the network’s close
to six-kilometer overall length. Also to be built are a 50-meter-long
embankment along the shore of the Badara River, meant to prevent
riverbank collapse, and a water-purification station. Finally,
the project will include the reconstruction of two water reservoirs
(with a total capacity of 1,000 cubic meters) and the sewer network.

"As the lack of access to water remains a critically urgent issue in
both Armenia and Artsakh, the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund is committed
to address the problem as a matter of highest priority," said Ara
Vardanyan, the Fund’s executive director. "We are deeply grateful to
our compatriots across Europe, whose generous contributions during
the 2009 Pan-European Phoneathon made the Askeran infrastructure
project possible."

Currently three projects financed by the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s
French affiliate are nearing completion. They include the construction
of the Chartar Village school (Martuni Region, Artsakh), construction
of an internal potable-water network in Sos Village (Martuni), and
construction of a regional cardiology center in Akner, near Goris
(Syunik Region, Armenia).

Two additional projects financed entirely or in part by the French
affiliate will be launched within the next few months. They are the
reconstruction of the Muratsan School (Shushi) and reconstruction of
the Aygehovit-Vazashen irrigation network (Tavush Region, Armenia).

The latter initiative is sponsored jointly by the fund’s French and
Argentinean affiliates.

Nestled in northeastern Artsakh, the Askeran region borders on
Azerbaijan in the east. It is home to a number of major commercial
companies including Artsakh Alco (a manufacturer of alcoholic
beverages), Artsakh Fruit (a producer of fruits and vegetables),
Varanda (a maker of barrels and hardwood flooring), as well as a
alabaster factory. These enterprises employ nearly 260 area residents.

Agriculture continues to be a vital component of Askeran’s economy.

The area produces significant quantities of pomegranates, grapes,
and cereal crops, which are packed at local food-processing centers.

Lately Askeran farmers have begun efforts to grow watermelons as well.

Notable among Askeran’s historic monuments is the 18th-century
Mayraberd fortress. Another community institution is the Surb
Astvatsatsin Church, built in 2003.