For Immediate Release ~ March 13, 2007
Contact: Sarkis Kotanjian ~ 818-243-6222
Yerevan, Armenia – Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region is pleased to announce the completion of the heating systems of the critically important Nork-Marash Hospital in Yerevan, Armenia. The project reflects an unprecedented level of cooperation between the Armenia Fund, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Embassy of Brazil in Armenia. The Nork-Marash Hospital specializes in the treatment of infectious diseases and stands as the only healthcare facility in the republic with such specialty.
| Ambassador of Brazil to Armenia, H.E. Renate Stille answers questions from journalists, while UNDP Resident Coordinator Consuelo Vidal (L) and Armenia Fund International Executive Director Naira Melkoumian (R) look on. |
Financing was provided through Armenia Fund’s Brazilian affiliate – Fundo Armenia do Brazil, the UNDP, and the Embassy of Brazil in Armenia. The project encompassed the construction of a boiler house and all necessary heating transmission systems.
Ms. Consuelo Vidal, head of UNDP in Armenia, H.E. Ms. Renate Stille, Ambassador of Brazil in Armenia and Ms. Naira Melkoumian, Chief Executive of Armenia Fund International participated in the opening ceremony.
Ms. Consuelo Vidal stated, "This is our first completed joint project with Armenia Fund since we started our cooperation last year and we are sure it will not be the last one. We salute the efforts of the Armenian Diaspora around the world in contributing to the welfare and development of Armenia: today’s project is an example of such efforts.”
Ms. Melkoumian, in her answers to questions posed by journalists, mentioned, “Our partnership with UNDP is a strategic direction, and we are confident that it will be effective. Today, on behalf of the patients of this hospital we thank the Armenian Diaspora in Brazil and the Brazilian Embassy”.
H.E. Renate Stille, Ambassador of Brazil to Armenia, added, “We are happy to hear that the boiler house operated since early January and provided heating to the patients. I recall the day that we came up with the idea of constructing a boiler house for the hospital, and I should thank UNDP for making that idea a reality so promptly.”
In the framework of a broader partnership with Armenia Fund and the Armenian government, the UNDP assists local communities in Armenia through projects focused on the rural village development plan. The total budget of the boiler house project was $28,500 USD.
Armenia Fund, Inc., is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation established in 1994 to facilitate large-scale humanitarian and infrastructure development assistance to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Since 1991, Armenia Fund has rendered more than $160 million in development aid to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Armenia Fund, Inc. is the U.S. Western Region affiliate of "Hayastan" All-Armenian Fund. Tax ID# 95-4485698
