23 years after quake 6700 families face housing problem, says activist

Twenty-three years after the 1988 devastating earthquake in Armenia’s Shirak province an estimated 6700 families are still facing a housing problem, Vahan Tumasyan, Head of the Shirak Centre non-governmental organization has said.

Speaking to Tert.am, Tumasyan said only 3500 families out of those 6700 are registered in a waiting list to get state-sponsored housing.

“Aid has not been adequate,” said he. “It has often been given to wrong addressees.”

Tumasyan also said that the state usually assists to cover only 30% of the total needs.

“If the resources were used effectively, then we would not have homeless people now,” said he, adding the around 15-18% of the population in city of Gyumri – second hardly hit area after the city of Spitak – are living in temporary cottages.  Read more... (340 words)

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