Artsakh Refugee Support Fund
Description
Armenians living in Artsakh last week woke up to the Azeris again attacking their ancestral homeland. Â This time their goal was the complete surrender and ethnic cleansing of the entirety of Artsakh. Â
The mass exodus from Artsakh has begun, and while the fate of our brothers and sisters there remains uncertain, one thing for sure is that thousands of refugees are arriving in Armenia in need of food, shelter and basic necessities. Â This humanitarian crisis has begun. Â
To assist, and based on our experience from the refugee crisis during and after the 2020 War, The Paros Foundation is launching the Artsakh Refugee Support Fund to assist refugees coming to Armenia with basic humanitarian needs including food, medicine, clothing, and shelter. Â
Our main goal is to begin assessing housing needs and re-home refugees into permanent homes as quickly as possible and as funding provides.  Our team will work closely with our contacts throughout the country to help find communities and homes available as well as provide immediate humanitarian support for refugees. Â
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The Need
Armenian refugees driven from their homes in Artsakh have already begun arriving into Armenia in the thousands. Â This people will need food, shelter, clothing, medicine and other immediate humanitarian support. Â The Armenian government is not able to immediately help these people, nor are there any international organizations prepared and willing to support this effort. Â
Short Term Impact
As refugee families begin arriving in Armenia, we will help provide as many as possible with short term humanitarian support. Â All forms of support provided will benefit the local Armenian economy.
Long Term Impact
In the long term, Â The Paros Foundation will again support these families re-homing needs as we did following the 2020 war. Â Homes in communities outside of Yerevan will be purchased and renovated and given to refugee families. Â This work will be done with local materials and labor and thus have a significant impact on the local economy.
Sponsors Benefits
All sponsors of this important project will be listed on The Paros Foundation’s website and in all press related to this project. Visits to these communities can be arranged for sponsors visiting Armenia.
Mr. Haig Balian
Las Vegas, NVAnonymous
Windham, NHMr. & Mrs. Richard & Arax Fernandes
United StatesMs. Ellen Sarkisian Chesnut
Alameda, CAMr. Danny Vilela
Denver, COMr. Erik Moore
CanadaMs. Ani Astabattsyan
GermanyMs. Ruzanna Katabyan
CA, United StatesMs. Sofia Martyrosian
United StatesMs. Meghrie Babikian
IL, United StatesDr. Nerses Sanossian
South Pasadena, CAAnonymous
Manhattan Beach, CAUpdates: Images & Information
The Paros team has distributed firewood to now 20 families from Artsakh who have taken refuge. It will be used for both heating and cooking.
Paros Staff and JOURNEY Through Armenia Participants all gather together to distribute shoes to women who are refugees from the Artsakh in preparation for the cold winter months lying ahead. The shoes are donated from the company Zadur Shoes. They gave a grand total of 500 pairs of winter boots.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors we have raised enough funds to purchase 26 homes for displaced families. Our team is actively engaged in this process -- more updates coming soon!
Thus far five families have been moved into their newly renovated homes. Currently, three homes are under renovation, ten are being built, and a Community Living for Older Refugees home in Goris is in the process of being launched.
The Paros Foundation is pleased to launch a new effort to provide permanent housing for older Artsakh refugees with the purchase of a home for the Community Living for Older Refugees project in the community of Goris. This home will serve as a group home for 10 older refugees to offer them a clean, safe, and comfortable environment to live dignified lives.Â
Two additional families now have permanent housing! The Telyan Family originally received housing in Maghavuz, Artsakh through the Emergency Resettlement program following the 2020 War. However, after having to relocate again in 2023, they now have stable housing in Meds Masrik that they are looking forward to calling home. The Harutunyan Family also moved into their new home located in Geghamasar. The family has six boys and are thankful for a new beginning where their children can thrive.