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Five Artsakh Children Receive Assistance
for their Medical Treatment Outside Nagorno Karabakh
John Kchikian of the Armenian Children's Relief
Fund
awarded prestigious Gratitude Medal
PRESS RELEASE
May 10, 2004
Washington, DC — The Office of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic announced today that five more Artsakh children, whose
medical conditions required treatments outside the republic, received
benevolent assistance. This direct financial aid, made possible largely
by a recent $10,000 grant from the Cafesjian Family Foundation and provided
through the Armenian Children's Relief Fund, will be used to organize
and finance medical treatment of these children outside Nagorno Karabakh.
A special committee has been created to oversee the proper distribution
and use of the humanitarian assistance. The Committee on Implementation
of Medical Assistance Projects (CIMAP) includes representatives of Ministries
of Health, Social Security and Foreign Affairs, a local non-governmental
organization, Motherhood, and a local liaison of the U.S.-based Americans
for Artsakh organization.
CIMAP received and reviewed applications for financial
assistance and, after scrupulous consideration, decided on the amount
of financial aid to be provided. It also outlined financial reporting
guidelines for recipient families. The five families agreed to use the
funds exclusively for medical treatment and associated expenses and
to report to the committee on the results.
The Armenian Children's Relief Fund, under the leadership
of its founder and chairman John Kchikian, has provided over $300,000
in humanitarian assistance for reconstruction of schools, repair of
drinking water mains, and as medical aid for dozens of veterans and
children. In recognition of Mr. Kchikian's ongoing patriotic support
of Artsakh, on April 7, 2004, the Artsakh-based Motherhood organization
awarded him with its prestigious Gratitude Medal. Among past recipients
of the award are NKR President Arkady Ghoukasian, former Armenian Prime
Minister Vazgen Sargsian, and Baroness Caroline Cox.
Since 1998, the Cafesjian Family Foundation (CFF)
has awarded more than $1.3 million in grant assistance to benefit Nagorno
Karabakh, including the sponsorship of major infrastructure projects
such as the Goris-Stepanakert and North-South highways. The grants also
included some $80,000 for reconstruction of a major school in Stepanakert
and $50,000 for landmine clearing efforts. Since 2001, the Foundation
has sponsored the NKR Office, Artsakh's representation in the United
States. In October 2003, President Ghoukasian met with CFF President
and CEO Gerard L. Cafesjian to thank him again for his outstanding contribution
to Artsakh's overall success.
"Artsakh is very lucky to have committed Armenians
like Mr. Cafesjian and Mr. Kchikian on its side," said Nagorno
Karabakh Representative Vardan Barseghian. "The needs are often
greater than we can shoulder and we thank those who understand the importance
of continued assistance to Artsakh. Only together can we achieve our
common vision of a secure and prosperous Homeland."
The Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the
United States is based in Washington, DC and works with the U.S. government,
academia and the public representing the official policies and interests
of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.
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This material is distributed by the Office of the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the USA on behalf of the Government of
the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. The NKR Office is registered with the
U.S. Government under the Foreign Agent Registration Act. Additional
information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.
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