KeghartBy Harut Sassounian , Publisher, The California Courier, 8 November 2012
For almost two years, Armenians worldwide have followed the vicious civil war in Syria with great anxiety and concern for the safety and survival of their compatriots.
Regrettably, dozens of innocent Armenians were killed or injured by indiscriminate gunfire and shelling, while many others have been kidnapped. Armenian homes, churches and schools were looted, damaged or burned. Thousands of families, scrambling to save themselves, fled to Armenia and the neighboring countries.
By Harut Sassounian , Publisher, The California Courier, 8 November 2012
For almost two years, Armenians worldwide have followed the vicious civil war in Syria with great anxiety and concern for the safety and survival of their compatriots.
Regrettably, dozens of innocent Armenians were killed or injured by indiscriminate gunfire and shelling, while many others have been kidnapped. Armenian homes, churches and schools were looted, damaged or burned. Thousands of families, scrambling to save themselves, fled to Armenia and the neighboring countries.
In recent months, as the situation assumed alarming proportions, the Government of Armenia and Diasporan communities finally began making preliminary plans to help Syrian Armenians.
These efforts, although well intentioned, were too little, too late! Until now, there has not been a coordinated and comprehensive plan to deal with this enormous humanitarian crisis. Below is an outline of the three key tasks that require the immediate attention and support of all Armenians:
1) Fundraising: Tens of millions of dollars are required to meet the urgent needs of Armenians in Syria and those who have sought refuge in Armenia, Lebanon, Jordan, and elsewhere. These funds could be raised from both non-Armenian and Armenian sources.
Non-Armenian sources would include: the US Congress, USAID (United States Agency for International Development), UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), international humanitarian organizations, and other governmental agencies.
Armenian sources would include: the Republic of Armenia, major Armenian organizations and businesses, and individual benefactors. Funds could also be raised from the general pubic through special events, mass mailers, and telethons.
It is regrettable that the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund and its regional affiliates have failed to properly assess the critical condition of Syrian Armenians, as reflected in the inexcusable decision of allocating to them a mere 10% of the proceeds from this year’s Thanksgiving Telethon. This has created a strong resentment among the Armenian public toward the Armenia Fund. It is still not too late to take corrective action and allocate the full 100% of the telethon’s proceeds to Syrian Armenians both at home and abroad as refugees. Contributors to the telethon should specifically request that 100% of their donations be earmarked to Syrian Armenians. Alternatively, they can donate to the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund, a pan-Armenian committee established in several countries in recent weeks. The Fund will send 100% of the contributions it has collected to its counterpart operating in Syria.
In recent days, I have received heartbreaking phone calls from compatriots in Syria, desperately pleading with Armenians worldwide to help them before it is too late! It is unconscionable to give a mere pittance to fellow Armenians whose lives are at risk every moment! The tragic fate of Syrian Armenians should receive priority attention from all Armenians at this critical juncture, as it is a matter of life and death! All other problems and projects should be placed on the back burner.
2) Lobbying: the Government of Armenia, Armenian political parties, and influential individuals must urge the Great Powers, key neighboring states, and international organizations to pressure all warring sides in Syria to avoid causing civilian casualties. If such pleadings are not fruitful, more stern measures should be taken against offenders by cutting off financial and military assistance, and charging them with war crimes. If need be, demonstrations can be held in front of embassies of countries supporting those responsible for civilian casualties.
3) Coordinating: A pan-Armenian entity should be created, similar to the committee for the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, to coordinate all efforts worldwide for fundraising and lobbying for Syrian Armenians. The members of such a body would consist of the leaders of the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh as well as the representatives of major Diaspora organizations. The coordinating committee must have full-time staff to carry out the necessary tasks in a timely and professional manner. The pan-Armenian entity would interface with the inter-communal committee in Syria to ensure that the donated funds serve their intended purpose.
It is understandable that due to the sensitive nature of the situation in Syria, not all efforts can be publicized. Nevertheless, the Government of Armenia and Diaspora organizations must take some concrete and explicit steps to reassure Syrian-Armenians that they are not abandoned to their tragic fate; that Armenians around the world care deeply for their well-being; and will do everything possible to support them in their greatest hour of need!
Keghart
Keghart
Keghart
4 comments
Artsakh Might Burn
One day Artsakh might burn and we, in the Diaspora, will still have the same indifference. No guidance, no leader or leading organization, no serious approach to very serious issues that we all know are coming. No problem, khorovads, anyone?
We Are Back
Dear Magaar,
We are back from a trip to Armenia/Artsakh and the highlight of our trip was a long hug that we got from a dadik (caretaker of a school in Stepanakert) who was so happy to see Armenians from the Diaspora visiting Artsakh and their school. We met proud Karabakhtsis who told us that one simply needs to fight for his freedom; it is a normal thing to do. There, I realized why one of the characters in Gostan Zarian's novel ("Nave Leran Vra") says that there are different types of Armenians, like those from Bolis (like myself) and those from Karabakh. So why am I saying all this? I guess, I am so overwhelmed with joy and pride, now that I have seen Artsakh and met its people. So to your legitimate concerns, all I can say is that individual acts count, too. Imagine if tens of thousands of Armenians visited Artsakh each year, supported local projects, started new projects or simply visited towns and villages for unforgettable memories. Let us not wait for guidance that may never come.
See you in Artsakh next year.
Artsakh Will Never Burn
To Saten Maagar: Artsakh will never burn and Armenians are not indifferent toward its well-being and its safety. As well, it's guarded by its powerful army.
Gaytzag Palandjian
Սուրիահայութիւնը պէտք ունի
Սուրիահայութիւնը պէտք ունի մեր առաւելագոյն օժանդակութեան
Ամէն օր մեզի Սուրիայէն կը հասնին տխուր և սարսափազդու լուրեր, սպաննուած Հայեր, քանդուած եկեղեցիներ- հայկական հաստատութիւններ։
Հեռատեսիլեն թէ համացանցէն կարելի է պատկեր մը կազմել։
Այս բոլորին դիմաց մեզի հասաւ այն լուրը թէ Հայաստան Համահայկական հիմնադրամը այս տարի իր հաւաքած գումարին տասը տոկոսը կը հատկացնէ Սուրիահայութեան։
Ուրախանալ՞։
Այսօր հայութեան որ՞ հատուածն է ոչնչացման առջև, կը մղէ կեանքի ու մահուան կռիւ։Ւնչպէս Արցախի ազատագրական պայքարին, այսօր ալ Սուրիահայ մեր եղբայրներն ու քոյրերը պէտք ունին մեր բոլորին Հայաստան և սփիւրք ԱՌԱՒեԼԱԳՈՅՆ օժանդակութեան։
Առ այդ կոչ կուղղենք Հայաստան հիմնադրամի հոգաբարձուներու խորհուրդին և բոլոր մասնաճիւղերուն այս տարի հաւաքուած գումարին առնուազն հիսուն տոկոսը հատկացնել Սուրիահայութեան։
Կոչ կուղղենք ՀԲԸՄիութեան կեդրոնական վարչութեան վերաբանալ Կիպրոսի Մելգոնեան Կրթական հաստատութիւնը, Սուրիահայ պատանիներու առջեւ։
Ողջունելով Սուրիահայ շտապօգնութեան մարմնի կազմութիւնը, չսպասել վերջին վայրկեանի, այլ համախմբելով մեր բոլոր ոյժերը, ստեղծել սփիւռքահայութեան մնայուն կեդրոնական մարմին մը ,մշակելու ազգային ծրագիր մը և ռազմավարութիւն ,լուծելու մեր դէմ հանդիման գտնուող
խնդիրները։
Րաֆֆի Պետիկեան ԳԵրմանիայ
19.11.2012
Comments are closed.