AGBU raises $5m, matches it with $5m for Karabakh humanitarian aid

PanARMENIAN.Net - The #Aid4Artsakh matching gift campaign for humanitarian relief in Artsakh and Armenia was intended to generate $5 million in donor support over the course of six weeks with a commitment from AGBU to match it dollar for dollar up to that amount. Yet the swift and overwhelming response from all corners of the Armenian World met that goal in just 4 days, thereby completing the matching phase of the fundraising effort as of midnight October 9, 2020.

The donations received by this time totaled $5,400,000, which added to AGBU’s $5,000,000 match brings the total to the $10,400,000 which was transferred to All-Armenian Fund. While any new gifts received will not qualify for a match, the donations will also be transferred to the Fund.

The proceeds from this drive will help support the life-sustaining humanitarian assistance for civilians and lifesaving emergency medical equipment.

“This instantaneous and organic outpouring of support sends a powerful and heartfelt message to all those in harm’s way or with family members defending the nation on the frontlines,” stated AGBU President Berge Setrakian. “It says ‘You are not alone. We rise together as one Armenian Nation.’”

Azerbaijan, with help from Turkey and Syrian and Libyan mercenaries deployed by Ankara, started a war against Karabakh (Artsakh) in the morning of September 27. The Armenian side has reported deaths and injuries both among the civilian population and the military. Foreign and local journalists too have been injured in Azeri shelling of towns and villages.

Donations can be made to Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, which has launched a fundraising campaign to support humanitarian efforts in Karabakh.