“YERKIR”, UNION OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS FOR REPATRIATION AND
SETTLEMENT
Bagramyan ave., ap. 47/A, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel. +(374 1) 26 28 75
Web:
E-mail: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
March, 19, 2004, Yerevan, Armenia
Contact: Robert Tatoyan, [email protected]
“YERKIR”, UNION OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS FOR REPATRIATION AND
SETTLEMENT REPORTS ON RESULTS OF ITS FIRST FULL YEAR OF ACTIVITY
“Yerkir”, Union of Non-Governmental Organizations for Repatriation and
Settlement was founded in November, 2002. By unifying the efforts of various
organizations from the R.A. (Republic of Armenia), MKR (Mountainous Karabagh
Republic) and the Armenian Diaspora, the organization engaged in the social,
economic and cultural development of border villages of RA and MKR. The
organization has chapters in USA, Europe and Canada and an upcoming chapter
in the Middle East.
“Yerkir”‘s main goals are:
1. Assist in the re-population and settlement of the border regions of
RA and MKR.
2. Assist in the social, economic and cultural development of the
border regions of RA and MKR.
3. Assist in the research and protection of the historical and cultural
heritage of the border regions of RA and MKR.
“Yerkir” works on improving the socio-economic and cultural problems of
post-war restored villages, as well as the reestablishment of the historic
Armenian settlements of the region.
In 2003, during its first year of existence, “Yerkir” implemented the
following
projects:
1. Construction and furnishing of a school in the village of Araler,
Hadrout Region, MKR (sponsor- Charles Ghazerian of France).
2. Construction and furnishing of the “Hakop Poyajian Bokhboj”
kindergarten in memory of Hakob Poyadjian, in the village of Arakiul,
Hadrout Region, MKR (sponsor- the Poyajian family of Los Angeles, USA).
3. Construction and furnishing of the Madteos Tsaretsi school in the
village of Tsar, Nor Shahumian Region, MKR (sponsors- A group of Los Angeles
USA Armenians).
The following “Yerkir” projects are currently in progress:
1. Construction and furnishing, including medical equipment, of a
hospital, in the village Araler, Hadrout Region, MKR (sponsor- “Hayrenik”
Union of Los Angeles, USA).
2. Construction of 5 (five) houses, a medical center, as well as the
water distribution system, in the village of Norashen, Hadrout Region, MKR
(sponsor- AGBU France).
3. Construction of 8 (eight) houses, a water distribution system as
well as the establishment of small and medium households engaged in domestic
animal farming activity in the village of Saralanch, Hadrout Region, MKR
(sponsor- France Karabagh).
4. Construction of 8 (eight) houses, construction and furnishing of a
school as well as construction and furnishing of a medical center and a
community-youth
center, in the village of Haykavan, Hadrout Region, MKR
(sponsors-Armenian American Nurse’s Association, the Anatolian family of Los
Angeles, a group of Los Angeles Armenians, Mr & Mrs. Apo and Rosine
Saghdejian of Fresno, Mr. and Mrs. William So and Astghik Dadrian of Newport
Beach, California, Armenian American Council on Aging).
5. Remodeling and furnishing of the school building, construction of a
Medical & Community-Youth dual building complex, in the village of Tsamdzor,
Hadrout Region, MKR (sponsor, “Armenia” Foundation of Geneva, Switzerland).
6. Procurement and installation of temporary mobile homes in the
village of Ijevanatun, Hadrout Region, MKR (sponsor- “Monte Melkonian”
Fund).
7. Remodeling and furnishing of the school building in the village of
Arakiul, Hadrout Region, MKR, (sponsor – the Poyajian family of Los
Angeles). Construction of the medical & agricultural development center in
the village of Arakiul, Hadrout Region, MKR (sponsor-France Karabagh).
8. Construction and furnishing of a kindergarten in the village of
Talish,
Martakert Region, MKR (sponsor, “D.A. Connextion”, France).
9. Founding of the entire village of Knaravan, Nor Shahumian Region,
MKR. The
work includes construction of 18 (eighteen) single family houses,
construction and furnishing of a school, construction and furnishing of a
medical-community-youth center dual-building complex and the implementation
of agricultural development projects. The project is sponsored by the
Harutyunian family of New Jersey, USA.
10. Construction and furnishing of a kindergarten in the village of
Yeghegnout, Nor Shahumian Region, MKR (sponsor – ARF Patanekan of Canada).
11. Remodeling and furnishing of the kindergarten-Dance & Music school
building complex in the village of Chinari, Tavoush Region, RA (sponsor-
Alain Krakirian of Los Angeles, USA).
12. Reconstruction and furnishing of the school in village of Aregouni,
Gegharkounik Region, RA (sponsor- United Armenian Students of Los Angeles,
USA).
“Yerkir”s total investment in 2003 was US $215,000.00 or 173,000 Euro. 2003
was also a year of organizational growth for “Yerkir”. The organization
firmly established itself by opening offices in Yerevan, Stepanakert and
Vadenis. With contracts totaling more than US $400,000.00, in 2004, “Yerkir”
UNGO has ambitious expansion plans.
Expansion will be directed in different geographic regions of RA and MKR:
1. Border communities of the Syunik, Tavoush and
Gegharkounik Regions.
2. Border communities of the Hadrout, Martakert,
Martouni and Nor Shahumian Regions.
During 2003, “Yerkir” submitted many project portfolios to various
organizations and individuals. The submitted projects were focused on
socially and demographically developing the more than 30 border rural
communities located in the above mentioned target regions.
Today, one of “Yerkir’s primary goals is to encourage repatriation
from Russia and other CIS countries. Priority is being given to
natives who were forcefully evicted from their communities and many of whom
would return to their hometowns, given favorable living conditions.
For further information on “Yerkir”‘s current and upcoming projects, visit
or “Yerkir USA”‘s homepage at
You will also find “Yerkir”‘s detailed
2003 financial statement on the organization’s website.