News

SYDNEY: Australian Prime Minister John Howard has approved $1.432million ($1.25million USD) in funding to the Armenian Relief Society’s Gyumri Mother and Child Health Care Centre project. The announcement was read by Federal Cabinet Minister Joe Hockey before 2000 Armenian-Australians attending Armenian Family Day – Rally for Genocide Recognition at Eastwood Park on Sunday.

The Prime Minister’s statement read: “I am pleased to announce that, in response to a request from the Armenian National Committee of Australia, the Government will provide up to $1.4 million to the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) for support to the Gyumri Mother and Child Health Care Centre.”

It continued: “The centre was established in 1997 and provides maternal and child health services in the Shirak province of Armenia, serving approximately 50,000 people. Australian assistance will be used to update surgical equipment, renovate and expand the main Health Centre building and finance the purchase of an ambulance and other specialist equipment for the newly established Diagnostic Centre.”

ARS Australia Chairperson, Ms Suzy Sarafian welcomed the announcement, stating: “On behalf of 22,000 ARS members worldwide and the Armenian-Australian community, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude for this significant funding announcement.”

She added: “The aid will help further reduce the infant mortality rate in the Armenian region, as well as provide medical assistance to mothers away from the city centre.”

Mr. Varant Meguerditchian, President of the Armenian National Committee of Australia, joined the ARS in thanking Minister Hockey after the announcement.

He said: “The Australian Government’s commitment to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Armenia pays tribute to the generosity of the Australian people and almost a century on, echoes Australian efforts to assist Armenian refugees in the years immediately following the Armenian Genocide.”

The Armenian Relief Society is the oldest Armenian women's organisation, established in 1910 in New York City. Since its foundation, the ARS has provided educational and humanitarian assistance to Armenians everywhere. Today, the ARS has entities in 24 countries including Australia where members of the Society contribute to their communities and the larger world for the betterment of all humankind.