APPEAL

CALL FOR IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL RELIEF TO GEORGIAN ARMENIANS

On March 30, 2008, the Executive Body of ARS/Artsakh celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Artsakh liberation movement by organizing an event entitled “The Role of the Armenian Woman in Sociopolitical Life” in the Stepanakert Youth and Culture Palace, to inculcate the youth, in broad terms, of the role played by the Armenian woman and, particularly, by the Armenian Relief Society, over the years of the liberation war, as well as in the efforts of strengthening Artsakh during the war’s aftermath.

From March 28 to March 30, the Tufenkian Foundation organized -- under the auspices of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic Government -- a conference in the Artsakh city of Berdzor, to study issues involving the development of the Region of Kashatagh. Participants of the Conference heard the presentations of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic President, as well as the representatives of the authorities of Kashatagh. They familiarized themselves with the details of programs proposed by the Tufenkian Foundation, and visited some of the region’s villages and towns located to the south of Berdzor, to acquire first hand information on their status, and the challenges faced by their inhabitants.

On November 14, 2007, Mr. Pako Sahakian, President of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic visited the Armenian Relief Society, Inc.’s Central Office in Watertown, Massachusetts and met with members of the ARS Central Executive Board and management of the Society’s International Office. The President was accompanied by Archbishop Barkev Martirossian, Prelate of Artsakh, the Vice-Chairperson of the National Assembly of NKR, Mr. Roudig Husnoonts, the Minister of Social Affairs, Ms. Narine Azadian and the Permanent Representative of NKR in the United States, Mr. Vardan Barseghian.

In a message dated October 14, 2007 and addressed to the Armenian National Committee of Australia, the Prime Minister of Australia John Howard granted the ARS, Inc. 1.432 million Australian Dollars “for support to the Gyumri Mother and Child Health Care Center”. The grant was ratified by the Australian government following a formal proposal presented by the Armenian National Committee of Australia.