Australian City Launches Humanitarian Appeal for Artsakh

SYDNEY:   The City of Ryde Council in Sydney has unanimously adopted a motion establishing a ‘Mayor’s Appeal for Artsakh’  to provide much needed humanitarian aid to the Armenians of Artsakh and Artsakh refugees who since 12th December 2022, have been cut off from essential supplies by the Azerbaijani authorities.

Armenian-Australian Mayor Sarkis Yedelian OAM who tabled the Mayoral Minute which pledged an initial $1,500 to from the City of Ryde to kickstart the appeal said, “while the Mayors Appeal will go some way in alleviating the human suffering of an indigenous population, it also represents the humanity of all Australians in our City,”

The City of Ryde is home to the largest population of Armenians in the country and as a result has stood with the local community in recognising the Armenian Genocide, recognising the Republic of Artsakh and establishing a sister city relationship with Artsakh’s capital Stepanakert in 2019.

The Armenian Relief Society of Australia (ARS-AU) headquartered in New York is the oldest Armenians women’s organisation providing humanitarian assistance to Armenians worldwide and will work in collaboration with the Council to promote the appeal and deliver the aid to the people of Artsakh.

Armenian Relief Society of Australia Chairperson Nora Grigorian welcomed the appeal and said, “We are grateful for the launch of this Mayor’s Appeal to provide urgent humanitarian aid to the 120,000 indigenous Armenians of Artsakh.

“It was Australia’s humanitarian assistance in 1915 that saved my grandfathers from perishing during the Armenian Genocide over 100 years ago by providing an orphanage for refuge. Today, as an Australian born resident of Ryde, I’m proud that our City is lending a hand to overcome the physiological and physical suffering from such a blockade” added Grigorian.

In the lead up to the meeting, the peak public affairs body of the Armenian-Australian community, the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU) wrote to Councillors calling for immediate action and support.

Following the success of the motion Kolokossian said, “108 years ago Lord Mayors across New South Wales and Victoria set up Council led appeals to aid victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide. Today, the City of Ryde honours that history and continues that legacy through this appeal as Armenians in Artsakh face a similar plight in 2023.”

On behalf of the community the ANC-AU and ARS-AU express thanks to Mayor Yedelian and the Council. The appeal will be open for Australians to contribute between the 1st of September until the 15th of September 2023. Donations can be made by direct deposit to:

Account Name: Mayors Appeal ARS Australia

BSB: 062295

Account: 10425847

Reference: MayorsAppeal_YourName