InternationalArmenian groups join appeals for Haiti relief
Published: Tuesday January 19, 2010
People scrambled in the ruins as an earthquake brought widespread death and devastation to Haiti. Photolure
Washington - The catastrophic earthquake that struck Haiti in the late afternoon of January 12 left millions in need of emergency aid, with rescue and aid groups from around the globe, including several groups from the Armenian diaspora pitching in.
On January 14, the Armenian National Committee of American (ANCA) issued an appeal to its supporters for donations to be made to the American Red Cross.
On the same day the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church in Burbank, Calif., issued a statement similarly calling for donation to the Red Cross, while the Eastern Diocese asked its parishes for donations to be made to its Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), including with an option to donate online.
In its statement the Eastern Diocese recalled the 1988 Armenia earthquake and "the world's beautiful outpouring of goodwill towards our country and its people," encouraging a similar effort to alleviate the tragedy in Haiti.
The Armenian Relief Society of Western U.S.A. also set up a "Haiti Relief Fund" with an option to donate online.
"The ARS feels the suffering of the Haitian people, especially since we experienced similar devastation after the 1988 earthquake in Armenia," Sossie Poladian, chairperson of the ARS Regional Executive said in a statement on January 15.
And on January 18, the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) announced a donation of $50,000 and an appeal to its supporters to donate to FAR.
In a telegram, Armenia's president offered condolences and extended an offer of assistance to his Haitian counterpart, Arminfo reported on January 15.
On January 14 an Armenian rescue service official said a 52-member rescue group was ready to be dispatched to Haiti; the group had not deployed as of this week, citing logistical constraints.
International humanitarian effort
United Nations peacekeepers, particularly from Argentina, and international aid groups were already on the ground when the earthquake struck and were the first to provide medical and rescue aid to the quake victims.
On January 13 they were joined by rescue groups from Cuba, Peru, and the United States, with rescuers from dozens other countries - including countries as far away from Haiti as Israel, Russia and Turkey - joining the effort in subsequent days.
The United States also pledged about $100 million in relief aid and deployed 7,500 marines in addition to naval forces to help maintain security in the island nation known for gang violence, international news media reported.
