syrian-refugees The IDeA Foundation announced on Saturday, October 8 that it’s offering financial support to bring Syrian–Armenian refugees to Armenia.

According to Aleppo Compatriotic Charitable Organization, 600 hundred letters from families in Aleppo have already been received, asking for help to reach Armenia. Given security concerns, those people will first be moved to Lebanon by land to later be transferred to Armenia by air. The organization said each of the Armenians needs $500 for the trip.

“The IDeA Foundation is committed to improving the lives of Armenia’s citizens. Yet, we do not do this in isolation. We are aware of what is happening in the world around us and we feel an obligation to participate in doing what can be done to alleviate pain and suffering wherever possible,” it said in a statement.

“As we watch the continuing violence in Syria, particularly in Aleppo, we feel compelled to offer financial support to bring Syrian-Armenian refugees to Armenia. We are prepared to join other organizations and individuals around the world in this effort. This is something that must happen now. Even those who stayed and continued to stay throughout the years of fighting are now looking for safe haven elsewhere. We believe it is our duty as Armenians to help them.”

“We are joined in this by several private foundations and we are working with the Armenian government to ensure that those who come are offered the basic official facilitation necessary to be able to legally seek refuge in Armenia,” the Foundation added.

“In the years following the Genocide, the Armenians of Aleppo were the first-line saviors for Armenian survivors in Turkey. Today, they are looking for first-line saviors themselves.”