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23 YEARS AFTER DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE DEC 7 CONTINUES TO SYMBOLIZE MOURNING
Tert.am
07.12.11
The disastrous earthquake that rocked Armenia 23 years ago on this
day continues to remain a symbol of mourning for many.
One thirds of the country, including the second and third largest
cities of Gyumri and Vanadzor (the former also considered Armenia's
cultural capital) turned into a disaster zone. The earthquake, whose
epicenter was the northern town of Spitak. claimed 25,000-30,000 lives,
leaving thousands homeless.
According to the official website of the Emergency Situations Ministry,
the aftermaths of the quake came to prove that the seismic protection
system in the then Soviet Union was underdeveloped, with most buildings
lacking cement on panels, and the society not being skilled enough
to respond to emergencies.
"In 2008, the Armenian Government elaborated a program to provide a
final solution to the housing problems of those who remained homeless
after the quake. Under the program, 76 billion drams ($200 million)
from the 2008 State Budget were allocated to the construction
of apartments for 4,860 families. Within two years, 49.5 billion
drams were invested to provide apartments to 1,566 families. The
investments in the disaster zone continued in 2011; 223 families
received apartments as a result of construction activities worth 26
billion drams. It is planned to continue the construction in 2012 to
provide 1,720 more families with apartments, thus eventually solving
the housing problems of the people left homeless after the earthquake,"
the local daily Azg says in an article devoted to the anniversary of
the 1988 earthquake.
Tert.am
07.12.11
The disastrous earthquake that rocked Armenia 23 years ago on this
day continues to remain a symbol of mourning for many.
One thirds of the country, including the second and third largest
cities of Gyumri and Vanadzor (the former also considered Armenia's
cultural capital) turned into a disaster zone. The earthquake, whose
epicenter was the northern town of Spitak. claimed 25,000-30,000 lives,
leaving thousands homeless.
According to the official website of the Emergency Situations Ministry,
the aftermaths of the quake came to prove that the seismic protection
system in the then Soviet Union was underdeveloped, with most buildings
lacking cement on panels, and the society not being skilled enough
to respond to emergencies.
"In 2008, the Armenian Government elaborated a program to provide a
final solution to the housing problems of those who remained homeless
after the quake. Under the program, 76 billion drams ($200 million)
from the 2008 State Budget were allocated to the construction
of apartments for 4,860 families. Within two years, 49.5 billion
drams were invested to provide apartments to 1,566 families. The
investments in the disaster zone continued in 2011; 223 families
received apartments as a result of construction activities worth 26
billion drams. It is planned to continue the construction in 2012 to
provide 1,720 more families with apartments, thus eventually solving
the housing problems of the people left homeless after the earthquake,"
the local daily Azg says in an article devoted to the anniversary of
the 1988 earthquake.