In case of successful crowdfunding, all the minefields will be cleared in Karabakh by 2020– Ash Boddy

April 4, 2017 By administrator

Prime Minister of Artsakh Republic (NKR) Arayik Harutyunyan have today taken part in the event organized by HALO Trust organization on the occasion of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.

As the Information and Public Relations Department of Artsakh Republic Government told Panorama.am, Ash Boddy, HALO Program Manager in Nagorno Karabakh, has presented the activities of the organization, as well as the international experience and significance of mine clearance. He highlighted the support of the Artsakh authorities in ensuring the efficiently of demining operations in the republic. He stated that in case of successful crowdfunding, all the minefields will have been cleared in Karabakh by 2020.

In his speech Artsakh PM underscored the activity of the HALO Trust organization and expressed gratitude to the employees of the organization, as well as all the supporters who have always backed HALO Trust and Karabakh.

HALO Trust launches crowdfunding campaign to clear Karabakh minefield

October 21, 2016 By administrator

croud-funding In a global first, The HALO Trust, an international non-profit, has launched a $30,000 crowdfunding campaign to clear a minefield in the village of Myurishen, Nagorno Karabakh, the organization said Thursday, October 21.

It is a 1.8-acre minefield that endangers 500 people in Myurishen and the neighboring village of Vazgenasheg in Martuni region. Clearance would prevent accidents and allow the community to use the safe land to gather wood and graze animals.

At least five people have been injured in landmine accidents in Myurishen since 1995. The HALO Trust cleared three minefields in the village between 2007 and 2011, removing 38 anti-personnel mines, two anti-tank mines and three other explosive items. The minefield to be cleared through crowdfunding is the only minefield remaining (in the village – editor’s note).

The crowdfunding appeal is part of a larger campaign – Safe steps for the people of Karabakh – to clear all the landmines in Karabakh with an impact on civilians by 2020. An anonymous donor has pledged half of the $8 million required – if The HALO Trust can raise matching funds.

Andrew Moore, The HALO Trust’s Regional Director, said:”We are taking this new approach to fundraising because Karabakh’s Armenians have suffered from landmines for over 22 years. They are more likely to be victims of landmines than residents of almost any country in the world; a third of the victims are children.”

The HALO Trust, the world’s largest humanitarian mine action organization, has worked in Karabakh since 2000. It is the only agency clearing landmines and cluster bombs with a staff of 170 men and women who were recruited locally.

Solidarity for the family of a Kurdish soldier Hujam Surchi, a Kurdish peshmerga beheaded by ISIS

February 5, 2015 By administrator

On 1 February, the journalist Saeed Yerevan, based in Washington, has launched crowdfunding site IndieGoGo, a campaign to help the family of Hujam Surchi, a Kurdish peshmerga décapitté by ISIS on 25 January.

The request is unusual for a journalist. But he said, “When the forces of darkness as the Islamic State threatens all of us, it makes us accountable to each other and call us to be grateful for those who protect us by their heroic actions. ” (article HERE)

The reason that pushed Saeed Yerevan to engage in this fundraising campaign, due to the situation of the family of Hujam Surchi. A family living below the poverty line, consisting of his wife and 10 children.

The journalist in his message ensures that every penny will go to the soldier’s family, in coordination with the Representation of the Kurdistan Regional Government in Washington DC. It also understand that the question of trust vis-à-vis itself, but relies on the public understanding since it is known – (see his blog here) . Besides, if you had to persuade, Aram Hamparian Suren, Executive Director of the ANCA Washington knows him and relayed the call itself Yerevan Saeed.

IndieGoGo visit HERE . The latter presents the collection of funds in dollars, which poses no problem. The amount will be debited from the bank in Euros.