Gyumri Winter Operation

Description

Winters in Gyumri, Armenia’s second largest city, are extreme. Unemployment and poverty is rampant. Following the devastating 1988 Spitak Earthquake, in which more than 25,000 people lost their lives and more than 100,000 people were left homeless, Gyumri’s residents did whatever they could to find temporary shelter. This included moving into the overseas shipping containers in which earthquake related humanitarian goods were shipped to Armenia. 24 years following the earthquake, more than 3,000 poverty stricken families remain in various forms of temporary housing.

The harsh winters and extreme poverty lead to these people picking through trash to find something that they can burn to keep warm and cook food for their families. Children do not have the proper clothing and boots to stay healthy and attend school.

This effort will ensure that 60 families living in deplorable conditions receive heating and cooking fuel and warm clothing for their children.

Region

Shirak

City / Village

Gyumri

Start Date

January 2013

End Date

January 2013

Thank you to all our donors, we have met our fundraising goal.

Gallery Images

Paros staff along with Shirak Center NGO volunteers distributing firewood to families living in domiks in Gyumri.

Winters in Gyumri are extremely cold and in need of firewood to stay warm and prepare food.

Families receive several bags of wood according to their size.

The Need

Freezing temperatures and extreme poverty have created a humanitarian crisis in Gyumri’s “Domik” neighborhoods. Toxic fumes bellow from smoke stacks as residents burn trash, plastic bottles and old shoes in an effort to stay warm and cook a simple meal for their families. The extreme cold, toxic fumes and improper clothing contributes to children become sick and not attending school.

Short Term Impact

60 families and their children will receive emergency winter support in the form of cooking and heating fuel and winter coats and boots respectively. All humanitarian materials will be purchased in Armenia, thus providing a boost to the local economy.

Long Term Impact

It is hopeful that press materials related to this project will lead to greater public awareness of this problem and thus a broad based approach to solving this crisis.

Sponsors Benefits

Project sponsors will be recognized on the Paros Foundation website and in all press materials related to this project.

Updates: Images & Information

January 24, 2013

As a result of this effort, 350 received warm winter boots, 160 children received new winter coats and 60 families received firewood for heating and cooking to last them approximately one month.

Contacts