The Armenian General Benevolent Union to Deliver Approximately 43 Tons of Medical Supplies from Belgium to Armenia

The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is set to deliver approximately 43 tons of medical supplies from Belgium to Armenia. This information was provided by the AGBU press service.

“As hospitals and care facilities in Armenia continue to tirelessly serve those injured in the Artsakh war, the country has crossed the fourth level threshold in terms of COVID-19 infection rates, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The oldest agency in the world working towards the eradication of hunger and humanitarian crises, the World Food Programme (WFP), has offered to coordinate the logistics of several shipments of customs cargo from Liège, Belgium, under the condition that the cargo supervision would be carried out by AGBU Europe, and the reception would be managed by the AGBU representative office in Armenia, where the number of COVID-19 cases had already exceeded 150,000 at that time. All costs related to the delivery were covered by the WFP office in Liège, while personal protective equipment and supporting materials related to COVID-19 were generously donated by members of the Armenian community in Belgium.

“WFP is proud to partner with an organization as historic and universally relevant as AGBU. The essence of AGBU itself, as an internationally significant organization for the Armenian community, is marked by its substantial collaboration with WFP,” said Hayen Ajemyan, the Operational Manager of WFP’s Liège office. “We are proud to provide services that help AGBU assist more people and make a difference in their lives. Cooperation with the UN is a step towards that change, and the Liège office of WFP hopes that this experience will have a significant impact on future collaborations,” Ajemyan emphasized.

The supply initiative amidst the pandemic began in early October 2020 and will continue until mid-January. The Armenian cultural center “House of Armenia” in Brussels, coordinated by its president Karen Tadevosyan, collected, organized, and packaged various items and materials. Among others, benefactor Nani Kacherysyan, representing the Armenian community in Belgium, personally donated 614 kg of personal protective equipment in support of Armenia's healthcare workers. Approximately 42,827 kg (43 tons) of supplies will be delivered to the AGBU Armenia office to serve the needs of the Armenian people.

“Thanks to WFP and with the support of Belgian-Armenian volunteers, we can deliver much-needed assistance to our healthcare heroes and those suffering from COVID-19 in Armenia,” stated Nadia Gortsunyan, President of AGBU Europe.

The AGBU Armenia office will receive the cargo at Zvartnots Airport in Yerevan. The delivery contains a range of healthcare and humanitarian items, including personal protective equipment, ready-to-eat therapeutic food, anesthesia equipment, wheelchairs, medical crutches, orthopedic devices, clothing, shoes, sleeping bags, food, and hygiene supplies, valued at approximately $490,301.

Immediately after the landing, the AGBU distributed the cargo as follows: personal protective supplies were sent directly to the Armenian Ministry of Health, clothing, shoes, and blankets, as well as hygiene supplies, were dispatched to the Armenian Ministry of Emergency Situations. Meanwhile, 16,000 kg of food will remain at the AGBU Armenia office and will be allocated to needy Armenians living across the country.

“These deliveries from WFP are immensely crucial for Armenia during these decisive times. We also express our gratitude to the AGBU volunteers and staff for their dedication and coordination to ensure the careful, effective, and transparent implementation of this international initiative,” remarked Vazgen Yakubyan, President of AGBU Armenia, adding that AGBU has reaffirmed its reputation as a reliable and competent partner in providing humanitarian assistance.

The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is the oldest, nationwide, and pan-Armenian organization of the diaspora. Established in 1906, the AGBU headquarters is located in New York. Through educational, cultural, and humanitarian programs, AGBU preserves and develops Armenian identity and heritage, impacting the lives of approximately 500,000 Armenians across the globe each year.