An Overview of the ARS Eastern USA’s Relief Efforts in Syria

The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) of Eastern USA’s efforts over the past two years have been focused on Syria, where families are faced with political uncertainty amid social and financial instability, including the immediate need for food and shelter.

Members of the Armenian Relief Society worldwide responded to the ARS Central Executive Board’s urgent appeal for “tuitions to needy students” in an attempt to alleviate the financial burden on Syrian-Armenian families and to promote the continuity of the educational mission of the schools.

In November 2012, an endowment of $100,000 was distributed to 27 Syrian-Armenian schools in Aleppo, Damascus, Kesab, Latakia, Kamishli, and other areas. As Zepure E. Reisian, a member of the ARS Central Executive Board, explained in Asbarez, “The sums received by the Armenian schools will be allotted to the balance of needy students’ tuitions, as well as to supplying financial assistance to the needs of the schools themselves, while also relieving the financial burden on the parents.”

The ARS Eastern USA also joined the Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief/Pan Armenian Relief Committee, which was established in August 2012 under the initiative of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America. The committee includes sister organizations that have united to raise relief funds for our brothers and sisters in Syria.

The Eastern Region’s 32 ARS chapters have been busy leading fundraising events, banquets and luncheons, public forums, and mass mailing campaigns in their respective communities for the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund. Through these joint efforts, more than $300,000 has been transferred and is being used to deliver critical humanitarian aid to families in need. This includes distributing food, providing shelter, medical supplies, and health care where needed, and keeping schools and local organizations functioning wherever possible.

Support and sustenance have also come via many specific ARS programs, such as the “Bnag me Dak Djash” (“A Plate of Hot Meal”) program and the “Sponsor a Syrian-Armenian Family” program.

The meal program began in November 2012 on a once-a-week basis, but is now run three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The meal program serves approximately 100 people and is run through the services center of the ARS in Syria. Each meal costs $3 per person.

The “Sponsor a Syrian-Armenian Family” program is currently supporting 20 families with young children at a cost of $1,200 a year per family. At the 93rd Convention of the ARS Eastern Region in Philadelphia this past summer, delegates and chapters pledged $17,750 to the program in less than half an hour.

The “Warm Home” program was recently initiated by the ARS Central Executive Board in response to the continually worsening socio-economic circumstances of Armenians in Syria, particularly in Aleppo, and the challenges they face in heating their homes. Up to 600 families will be given $100 every 3 months to go towards heating fuel. The ARS Eastern USA donated $10,000 to the “Warm Home” program, which was made possible through its supporters and the unwavering commitment of the Eastern Region’s ARS chapters.

The ARS has been active in Syria since 1919, when the Armenian Red Cross was founded in Aleppo by a group of Syrian Armenians seeking to provide relief to survivors of the genocide. Over the years, it established hospitals, orphanages, elder care centers, and schools. Until recently, there were active chapters in Aleppo, Latakia, Kamishli, Karadouran, Damascus, and Derik. Since the outbreak of the war in Syria, both the orphanage and the elder care center have been attacked and have had to be evacuated. The chapters are attempting to remain as active as possible in spite of the conflict and instability in the region, which have only increased the need for their services.

Ani Attar, chairwoman of the ARS Eastern USA, stressed the importance and urgency of these relief efforts. “The ARS has and will always serve the humanitarian needs of the Armenian people,” she said. “Through an army of volunteers, who not only provide financial support but also donate their time and energy, we successfully promote the advancement of the Armenian people. Joining these hundreds of women are family members and friends who make up the extensive ARS family. We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to all of our benefactors and supporters. We are deeply grateful for their financial and moral support. Today, we urge them to continue their support this holiday season.”

Donations can be made online at www.arseastusa.org. Checks can also be mailed to: A.R.S. of Eastern United States

80 Bigelow Avenue
Suite 200
Watertown, MA 02472
U.S.A.

Katie Vanadzin

Katie Vanadzin

Katie Vanadzin is a recent graduate of Wellesley College, where she majored in political science and German studies, and where she was also involved in the College’s Armenian Students Association. A native of Winchester, Mass., she has lived in Austria and Germany as well. She writes regularly for The Armenian Weekly.

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