The third international conference “Today’s Nutrition Matters Tomorrow,” hosted by the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) on November 14-15 at the American University of Armenia (AUA), brought urgent attention to the state of nutrition in Armenia. International and local experts and participants discussed how digital food marketing, the prevalence of fast food advertising, inconsistent policy enforcement, limited public health campaigns, and gaps in legal oversight contribute to poor dietary habits and hinder effective nutrition programs.

Displacement, whether due to conflict, natural disaster or economic crisis, leaves individuals and communities in dire need of assistance. As nonprofit executives, we face the dual challenge of providing immediate relief while fostering long-term resilience and self-sufficiency. Our organization was founded following the 1988 Armenia earthquake, and the infrastructure we established then has allowed us to address the ongoing challenges of displacement. Often, we find that we need to respond rapidly with relief programs.

On the one-year anniversary of Azerbaijan's forced migration of Artsakh residents, Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) reflects on a year of impactful and comprehensive support for the displaced. The crisis, which saw tens of thousands of ethnic Armenians uprooted from Nagorno-Karabakh, has mobilized FAR to provide over $1 million in aid, demonstrating a significant commitment to helping the displaced not just survive but make long-term improvements in their lives as depicted in this video.

In the wake of the displacement, FAR quickly responded with emergency humanitarian aid, reaching approximately 15,000 individuals in Syunik, Vayots Dzor, Ararat, Lori, and Tavushmarzes. This aid included essential supplies such as dry food packages, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) materials, bedding, electric heaters, warm winter jackets, and household appliances.

Ed and Janet Mardigian, longtime champions of the Armenian community, have dedicated their lives to philanthropy, building on a legacy of compassion and service that spans generations. Raised in families with deep ties to both the Armenian diaspora and a commitment to giving back, they have helped lead efforts that have made a lasting difference in Armenia, particularly in the challenging regions of Tavush. Their ongoing work with the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) and their unwavering support for Armenia’s most vulnerable reflect their profound sense of duty and humanity.

One year ago, Azerbaijani forces swept into the Nagorno-Karabakh region — or Republic of Artsakh, as many Armenians call it — and took over the long-contested area. The attack followed a monthslong blockade. Now, there are no Armenians left in the region and those who fled fear they will never see home again.

Over the years, a slew of global locations have been touted as tech hubs — from Manhattan’s Silicon Alley, to Scotland’s Silicon Glen, to South Africa’s Silicon Cape. Now, 7,000 miles from Silicon Valley, another technology center is developing deep in the Caucasus.

Technology education is a pivotal tool for economic development and social empowerment in developing economies. For women, acquiring technology skills can be transformative, offering pathways out of poverty and toward financial independence. In Armenia—a country affected by war and natural disasters and a population we serve at our organization, Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR)—technology education offers unique benefits for women, families and communities, making it one of the most effective drivers of economic recovery and social equity.

A few years ago, the sisters attended a summer camp in Artsakh. “It was a three-day outdoor camp where we did a lot of hiking, including a visit to the ‘Tatik-Papik’ statue in Stepanakert,” recalls Arevik, her eyes filled with emotion as she remembers the 12 happy and memorable years she spent in Artsakh. The family once lived in Poghosagomer village in the Martakert region. Arevik used to dream of becoming a hairstylist to help villagers with different haircuts and styles. “Now, I want to become a doctor to heal the injured and prevent illnesses,” said Arevik, who excels in STEM subjects at Sisian Secondary School and aims to attend medical school.

In a scene that plays out in nearly every household worldwide, a mother scurries to gather her family and get on the road to their destination. But this time, it's not to visit grandma, take a nature walk, or even get to school. This is September 2023 in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, and Svetlana is frantically urging her family of seven to flee the relentless shelling from the neighboring republic of Azerbaijan.

Scenes of damaged buildings and infrastructure stream from conflicts in Gaza, Haiti, and Ukraine in a near-constant flow of destruction and devastation. Unseen is the carnage that these conflicts can inflict on families—and particularly children—who are left to pick up the pieces long after the military and news crews leave. How can we help children like these, and also those here in the U.S., with news this month from the Biden administration that asylum seekers who cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally will be banned?

For Amalya, empowering women through technology is a personal mission. GITC was founded in Gyumri, Armenia’s second-largest city, in 2005, with the aim of offering educational opportunities to local students interested in computer programming, design, science and math, leveraging tech to foster long-term employment opportunities for people in the region.

During this insightful conversation, Amalya underscored FAR's and Gyumri Information Technology Center's shared mission of harnessing technology education to uplift the standard of living for the younger generation, especially displaced Artsakh women in Armenia. She emphasized Armenia's abundant resources, robust infrastructure, and, most importantly, its talented workforce, poised to embrace international investment in technology.

Ms. Yeghoyan will speak to the assembled dignitaries, politicians, and industry leaders about the success of GITC's educational and technical initiatives aimed at supporting the women who have been forcibly displaced from Artsakh and left to provide primary support for their families as a result of conflict and natural disasters. GITC provides training programs, mentorship, and financial resources to empower these women to become successful entrepreneurs, contributing to the economic development and resilience of the displaced Artsakhtsi people.