Minister Oskanian announced today¹s decision by the Armenian government to provide short and long-term assistance to victims of the South East Asian tsunami disaster.

After having received the necessary information from the governments of the countries affected by the catastrophe, at the cabinet meeting of Thursday, January 13, the government determined to allocate $50,000 to provide Sri Lanka with blankets and mobile generators, per their request. In addition, the Armenian government will provide aid in the same amount to Indonesia, whose government has requested medical and educational personnel and materials.

Deputy Foreign Minister Armen Baibourtian, who recently concluded his term as Armenia¹s ambassador to India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Nepal, said, ³We are calling for volunteers from Armenia and the Diaspora who are ready and willing to offer their professional services to those who have suffered so much. Those in the health and mental health fields are sorely needed and can be of great help in offering post-traumatic assistance. Armenia has been the recipient of such largesse and Armenians are eager to do their share in this recovery effort."

The Foreign Ministry is working with the appropriate Armenian agencies to transport the materials and the personnel. Deputy Minister Baibourtian also explained that the Foreign Ministry is cooperating with the Armenian communities of Australia, India and Thailand to provide additional support.

The Indonesians have lost schools and therefore are in need of teaching materials and stationery supplies. The Armenian government will work with the Armenian community of Australia to procure such resources and make them available.

The Armenian-Indian community, too, has mobilized its resources and provided services to the tsunami victims of India. The Armenian government has worked with the Indian-Armenian community and the Chairperson of the Armenian Church Committee in Calcutta, Mrs. Sonia John, in order to provide this internal assistance, given the Indian government¹s principled position not to accept foreign assistance. The Armenian Holy Church of Nazareth sent the equivalent of $210,000 to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. In addition, the Armenian Government has offered that post-traumatic rehabilitation be made available at the Red Cross Hospital in Yerevan.

Finally, in Thailand, through the leadership and generosity of Armenia¹s Honorary Consul in Bangkok, Mr. Bob Kevorkian, monetary assistance and housing construction has been offered to Thailand¹s tsunami victims.