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Donations from the Armenian Diaspora Clear Norashenik of Cluster Bombs
By MassisPost
Updated: May 1, 2014
Generous contributions from Armenian Americans allowed for the
clearance of cluster bombs, and all dangerous explosive items, from
the village of Norashenik in the Kashatagh/Lachin region of Artsakh in
October of 2013. Previously, father Virab Shaboian was afraid to let
his children play in the garden. `I definitely have to say thank you
to all the people who ensure the safety of my children, but also other
children in this region. I am very glad that there are people who give
money to this type of charity', says Virab.
A video news report produced by Artsakh Television highlights the
success story of Norashenik:
$11,000 was donated to the HALO Trust, the world's oldest and largest
mine clearance charity, to allow for complete clearance in the village
last October. In total 12 cluster bombs and 28 other items of
unexploded ordnance were found and destroyed in the village to make
safe over 370 acres of land. Virab's children can now play in safety,
he can cultivate the land and the entire village of 105 is no longer
in danger. The area can be used for grazing cattle, foraging for
berries and mushrooms, hunting and collecting firewood without the
fear of death or serious injury.
Virab's house in the background
Norashenik Village was hit by a cluster bomb strike during the war.
The 1992-94 conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan left behind
hundreds of minefields and cluster bomb strikes. Though fighting
ceased 20 years ago, the people of Nagorno Karabakh continue to
suffer. In fact, Karabakh has one of the worlds highest per capita
mine casualty rates ` on a par with Afghanistan and surpassing
Cambodia.
Landmine Free Artsakh is a group of concerned Armenians who have
volunteered to help the HALO Trust clear all remaining landmines,
cluster bombs and unexploded ordnance (UXO) from Artsakh. The mission
is to generate awareness about landmine problems in Artsakh and to
help fundraise to completely de-mine all villages. These villages are
in the Lachin, Hadrut and Martuni regions where no international
government grants and funds have been secured. Without private funding
these minefields might never be cleared.
Unfortunately, there have been two recent accidents in February of
2014. On February 13th, Robert Abraamyan's tractor initiated an
anti-personnel mine while working on the side of the road from Drmbon
to Alashan. On February 21st, Norik Abalyan was killed when his horse
stepped on an anti-tank mine near Marzilu village, Martuni region. He
was 50 years old and father of two children.
The group's next project is clearing a minefield in Karegah Village,
again in Kashatagh/Lachin Region only five miles from the Armenian
border, where landmines have injured people and animals and prevent
use of the land. Thanks to the generous donors from the United States
and Canada $35,000 required funding has been secured and clearance is
scheduled to begin in May 2014.
website www.LandmineFreeArtsakh.com
http://massispost.com/2014/05/donations-from-the-armenian-diaspora-clear-norashenik-of-cluster-bombs/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gbgOcI3lPo
By MassisPost
Updated: May 1, 2014
Generous contributions from Armenian Americans allowed for the
clearance of cluster bombs, and all dangerous explosive items, from
the village of Norashenik in the Kashatagh/Lachin region of Artsakh in
October of 2013. Previously, father Virab Shaboian was afraid to let
his children play in the garden. `I definitely have to say thank you
to all the people who ensure the safety of my children, but also other
children in this region. I am very glad that there are people who give
money to this type of charity', says Virab.
A video news report produced by Artsakh Television highlights the
success story of Norashenik:
$11,000 was donated to the HALO Trust, the world's oldest and largest
mine clearance charity, to allow for complete clearance in the village
last October. In total 12 cluster bombs and 28 other items of
unexploded ordnance were found and destroyed in the village to make
safe over 370 acres of land. Virab's children can now play in safety,
he can cultivate the land and the entire village of 105 is no longer
in danger. The area can be used for grazing cattle, foraging for
berries and mushrooms, hunting and collecting firewood without the
fear of death or serious injury.
Virab's house in the background
Norashenik Village was hit by a cluster bomb strike during the war.
The 1992-94 conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan left behind
hundreds of minefields and cluster bomb strikes. Though fighting
ceased 20 years ago, the people of Nagorno Karabakh continue to
suffer. In fact, Karabakh has one of the worlds highest per capita
mine casualty rates ` on a par with Afghanistan and surpassing
Cambodia.
Landmine Free Artsakh is a group of concerned Armenians who have
volunteered to help the HALO Trust clear all remaining landmines,
cluster bombs and unexploded ordnance (UXO) from Artsakh. The mission
is to generate awareness about landmine problems in Artsakh and to
help fundraise to completely de-mine all villages. These villages are
in the Lachin, Hadrut and Martuni regions where no international
government grants and funds have been secured. Without private funding
these minefields might never be cleared.
Unfortunately, there have been two recent accidents in February of
2014. On February 13th, Robert Abraamyan's tractor initiated an
anti-personnel mine while working on the side of the road from Drmbon
to Alashan. On February 21st, Norik Abalyan was killed when his horse
stepped on an anti-tank mine near Marzilu village, Martuni region. He
was 50 years old and father of two children.
The group's next project is clearing a minefield in Karegah Village,
again in Kashatagh/Lachin Region only five miles from the Armenian
border, where landmines have injured people and animals and prevent
use of the land. Thanks to the generous donors from the United States
and Canada $35,000 required funding has been secured and clearance is
scheduled to begin in May 2014.
website www.LandmineFreeArtsakh.com
http://massispost.com/2014/05/donations-from-the-armenian-diaspora-clear-norashenik-of-cluster-bombs/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gbgOcI3lPo