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Funds Raised During Phoneathon 2009 Help Rebuild Askeran Water And S

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  • Funds Raised During Phoneathon 2009 Help Rebuild Askeran Water And S

    FUNDS RAISED DURING PHONEATHON 2009 HELP REBUILD ASKERAN WATER AND SEWER SYSTEMS

    PanARMENIAN.Net
    April 12, 2010 - 13:41 AMT 08:41 GMT

    The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund has launched a major infrastructure
    project in Askeran, NKR, seeking to rebuild its crumbling potable-water
    and sewer networks. The initiative is co-financed by the Fund's French
    affiliate - through donations received during the 2009 Pan-European
    Phoneathon - and the government of Artsakh, the Fund said in a press
    release.

    Commenting on the urgent issues Askeran is facing today, Albert
    Avanesyan, head of the region's Urban Development Department,
    identified the potable-water problem as the most urgent. Currently
    drinking water reaches Askeran through rusted pipes and at minimal
    volume - due to water loss caused by an extensively damaged network.

    Askeran's aging sewer system is also in a state of disrepair, posing
    serious health risks.

    Avanesyan added that another obstacle affecting development of the
    town is the recent decline in the number of marriages, a phenomenon
    brought on by the lack of affordable housing.

    With the earthwork already completed, construction crews are now
    rebuilding Askeran's internal water-distribution system by installing
    new pipes, which by the project's end will cover the network's close
    to six-kilometer overall length. Also to be built are a 50-meter-long
    embankment along the shore of the Badara River, meant to prevent
    riverbank collapse, and a water-purification station. Finally,
    the project will include the reconstruction of two water reservoirs
    (with a total capacity of 1,000 cubic meters) and the sewer network.

    "As the lack of access to water remains a critically urgent issue in
    both Armenia and Artsakh, the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund is committed
    to address the problem as a matter of highest priority," said Ara
    Vardanyan, the Fund's executive director. "We are deeply grateful to
    our compatriots across Europe, whose generous contributions during
    the 2009 Pan-European Phoneathon made the Askeran infrastructure
    project possible."

    Currently three projects financed by the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund's
    French affiliate are nearing completion. They include the construction
    of the Chartar Village school (Martuni Region, Artsakh), construction
    of an internal potable-water network in Sos Village (Martuni), and
    construction of a regional cardiology center in Akner, near Goris
    (Syunik Region, Armenia).

    Two additional projects financed entirely or in part by the French
    affiliate will be launched within the next few months. They are the
    reconstruction of the Muratsan School (Shushi) and reconstruction of
    the Aygehovit-Vazashen irrigation network (Tavush Region, Armenia).

    The latter initiative is sponsored jointly by the fund's French and
    Argentinean affiliates.

    Nestled in northeastern Artsakh, the Askeran region borders on
    Azerbaijan in the east. It is home to a number of major commercial
    companies including Artsakh Alco (a manufacturer of alcoholic
    beverages), Artsakh Fruit (a producer of fruits and vegetables),
    Varanda (a maker of barrels and hardwood flooring), as well as a
    alabaster factory. These enterprises employ nearly 260 area residents.

    Agriculture continues to be a vital component of Askeran's economy.

    The area produces significant quantities of pomegranates, grapes,
    and cereal crops, which are packed at local food-processing centers.

    Lately Askeran farmers have begun efforts to grow watermelons as well.

    Notable among Askeran's historic monuments is the 18th-century
    Mayraberd fortress. Another community institution is the Surb
    Astvatsatsin Church, built in 2003.
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