U.S. Ambassador and UNHCR Representative Present Post-Trauma Rehabilitation Center with Computers and Exercise Equipment for Rehabilitation of Refugees

March 12, 2009

US Ambassador and UNHCR epresentative cut the ribbon together with PTRC director (StateDept)

U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Marie L. Yovanovitch and the Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Armenia, Ms. Bushra Halepota, presented the Armenian Red Cross-Post Trauma Rehabilitation Center (PTRC) today with computers, exercise equipment and other equipment purchased by PTRC from a USD 20,000 grant from the U.S. Department of State’s Taft Fund for Refugees. The equipment includes four treadmills, four computers and accompanying desks/chairs as well as a TV and DVD. UNHCR supplemented the U.S. Embassy grant with its own USD 10,000 grant under which PTRC provides free physical rehabilitation and psycho-social counseling to Iraqi refugees who left Iraq to seek protection in Armenia. Approximately 1,000 Iraqi refugees currently live in Armenia. Many of them suffer from physical and psychological traumas as a result of violent events experienced in Iraq related to the conflict. UNHCR has implemented a number of projects for assistance to refugees in Armenia in partnership with its long term partner, Armenian Red Cross Society.

After brief remarks by Ambassador Yovanovitch and Ms. Halepota, PTRC Director Alexandr Mnatsakanyan provided a tour of the hospital facilities after the official ribbon-cutting ceremony which was attended by government authorities, UNHCR implementing partners and Iraqi refugees .