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PRESS RELEASE
March 11, 2009
CONTACT:
Rick Barry
[email protected]<mailto:RBarry@Tufenk ian.com>
212.475.2475 x384
HELPING ARMENIA'S DESPERATE POOR
Tufenkian Foundation sets up emergency fund for neediest cases
The new economic chaos in the world has already caused rising poverty
in Armenia. Staff at the Tufenkian Foundation now regularly reports
shocking situations where people lack decent shelter, are unable to
make utility payments, or can't meet basic food and health needs. Due
to rising prices and growing unemployment, the social services NGO
Zankagatun, a Tufenkian Foundation-funded initiative, has been
inundated with urgent calls for help as alcoholism, abandonment, and
starvation spread.
The difficulties facing a woman named Armine, who Zankagatun just
began assisting in recent weeks, are typical examples of the effects
of this crisis. Unemployment had driven her husband to alcoholism,
which led to abuse. She fled with two young children and began living
in a barn. While trying to work, Armine left her five-year-old alone
each day to care for her two-year-old. The only food Armine could
afford was sweetened water, so both children quickly reached advanced
stages of malnutrition. What little money she had scraped together
cleaning neighbors' toilets was not enough to avoid being evicted from
the barn.
Cases like Armine's are no longer rare. Families that used to be able
to afford the bare minimum are now often left in the streets. To make
matters worse, Armenia's government is denying how bad the problem
is-so far, they have largely ignored or covered up, rather than risk
admitting any failure to protect the people. At this point, most
emergency protection is coming from NGOs and informal support
networks.
With this in mind, the Tufenkian Foundation has set up an emergency
fund for the neediest cases. The fund will disburse small amounts for
occasional help to people with terrible problems. Amounts can vary
from $30 for a utility payment, to $100 to repair someone's roof, to
$300 for emergency health care. Because the fund is being
administered by an existing Tufenkian Foundation project, it
represents zero overhead, meaning every dollar contributed, without
exception, goes directly to Armenia's neediest-the Foundation's
existing staff and resources will ensure that that is done, and done
quickly.
To kick things off, James Tufenkian has contributed $25,000 to the
fund, over and beyond the larger funds he gives toward the
Foundation's budget each year. The Foundation hopes that friends and
supporters will collectively match and surpass James's contribution,
offering the direct assistance that will help keep Armenians on their
feet until this crisis subsides.
Those interested in contributing to the Emergency Relief Fund should
contact Rick Barry at 212.475.2475 x384 or [email protected].
March 11, 2009
CONTACT:
Rick Barry
[email protected]<mailto:RBarry@Tufenk ian.com>
212.475.2475 x384
HELPING ARMENIA'S DESPERATE POOR
Tufenkian Foundation sets up emergency fund for neediest cases
The new economic chaos in the world has already caused rising poverty
in Armenia. Staff at the Tufenkian Foundation now regularly reports
shocking situations where people lack decent shelter, are unable to
make utility payments, or can't meet basic food and health needs. Due
to rising prices and growing unemployment, the social services NGO
Zankagatun, a Tufenkian Foundation-funded initiative, has been
inundated with urgent calls for help as alcoholism, abandonment, and
starvation spread.
The difficulties facing a woman named Armine, who Zankagatun just
began assisting in recent weeks, are typical examples of the effects
of this crisis. Unemployment had driven her husband to alcoholism,
which led to abuse. She fled with two young children and began living
in a barn. While trying to work, Armine left her five-year-old alone
each day to care for her two-year-old. The only food Armine could
afford was sweetened water, so both children quickly reached advanced
stages of malnutrition. What little money she had scraped together
cleaning neighbors' toilets was not enough to avoid being evicted from
the barn.
Cases like Armine's are no longer rare. Families that used to be able
to afford the bare minimum are now often left in the streets. To make
matters worse, Armenia's government is denying how bad the problem
is-so far, they have largely ignored or covered up, rather than risk
admitting any failure to protect the people. At this point, most
emergency protection is coming from NGOs and informal support
networks.
With this in mind, the Tufenkian Foundation has set up an emergency
fund for the neediest cases. The fund will disburse small amounts for
occasional help to people with terrible problems. Amounts can vary
from $30 for a utility payment, to $100 to repair someone's roof, to
$300 for emergency health care. Because the fund is being
administered by an existing Tufenkian Foundation project, it
represents zero overhead, meaning every dollar contributed, without
exception, goes directly to Armenia's neediest-the Foundation's
existing staff and resources will ensure that that is done, and done
quickly.
To kick things off, James Tufenkian has contributed $25,000 to the
fund, over and beyond the larger funds he gives toward the
Foundation's budget each year. The Foundation hopes that friends and
supporters will collectively match and surpass James's contribution,
offering the direct assistance that will help keep Armenians on their
feet until this crisis subsides.
Those interested in contributing to the Emergency Relief Fund should
contact Rick Barry at 212.475.2475 x384 or [email protected].