High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Assesses Lebanese-Armenian Community’s Needs After Beirut Explosion


                                                         High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan

Following the explosion in Beirut on August 4, High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan has been in direct and constant contact with the Lebanese Armenian community, including representatives of religious, healthcare, educational and charitable organizations, the media, as well as the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Atabekyan, in order to conduct a preliminary assessment of the needs.

According to the information received from the community, the most urgent needs at the moment are acquiring medication (especially for chronically ill patients), food and water, financial assistance for reconstruction efforts in Armenian populated neighborhoods (residential houses, shops, schools, churches, and community centers), assistance with and streamlining of the repatriation process for those who would like to repatriate to Armenia. The representatives also highlighted the necessity for psychological support.

Community representatives stated that they too are conducting a general assessment and that it will take some time to develop a more comprehensive analysis of the situation.

Catholicos Aram I will hold a meeting with community leaders, during which these issues will be discussed.

During a phone call, His Holiness Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I and Sinanyan discussed the situation in Lebanon in general, and in the Armenian community, the victims and the wounded.

Sinanyan is in constant contact with Aram I and will visit Beirut this week.