Armenian Assembly of America reflects on 25th anniversary of devastating earthquake in Armenia
On December 7, 1988 a massive earthquake struck northern Armenia devastating hundreds of towns and villages and claiming the lives of over 25,000 people. On this solemn occasion, the Assembly joins with Armenians in Armenia and across the globe as we pause to remember the victims and survivors of the devastating earthquake that claimed the lives of so many. The Assembly also recalls the tremendous outpouring of support and compassion from the American people and those abroad, as the emergency response of the U.S. Government was immediate and generous.
The 1988 earthquake registered 6.9 on the Richter Scale and struck without warning, resulting in over 25,000 deaths and an estimated 50,000 injured. The disaster affected 20 cities and over 350 villages, completely destroying 58 villages and leaving 1 in 7 Armenians homeless.
At that time, the Assembly's Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair Hovnanian travelled to Armenia to assess the urgent needs. Among the many actions taken, the Assembly made the decision to build a factory complex to construct prefabricated housing for the earthquake victims. The factory, still in operation today, has helped to build thousands and thousands of homes and apartments as well as schools, health facilities and many other buildings in the earthquake zone and in Nagorno Karabakh.
The Assembly also joined with other organizations in providing assistance to the Armenian people and led the effort to establish a special earthquake relief fund, today known as the Fund for Armenian Relief, swiftly raising over $4 million in contributions. The Assembly opened its Yerevan office on February 4, 1989, to help coordinate relief efforts, the first U.S. organization authorized to establish a presence in the Soviet Union. In addition, the Assembly led a delegation of medical personnel to Armenia to view the destruction first-hand and determine ways in which the U.S. could provide additional relief and support.
With 80 percent of Gyumri, Armenia's second largest city, destroyed, the U.S. government sent nearly $9.5 million in aid to Armenia and private U.S. organizations contributed over $40 million. Overall damage was estimated to be $16.2 billion.
"As we reflect on the twenty fifth anniversary of the devastating earthquake, we pause to remember the victims and survivors, and extend our appreciation to the outpouring of support from the American people," stated Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "The Assembly will continue its important work for the betterment of all Armenians," Ardouny added.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.