The Government of the Republic of Armenia

Friday, 7 December 2007

Dear residents of Nalband. The skies seemed to fall in on our heads nineteen years ago and the first blow was inflicted upon you. Nineteen years ago the Spitak earthquake staggered the world with a heavy toll of 25 thousand people killed and 19 thousand - injured. Numerous lives were crippled, many dreams failed to come true, tens of our towns were ruined with houses, schools, hospitals destroyed... 21 towns and 324 villages were ruined in part or in full. The earthquake hit 40% of the Republic's territory where about one million people used to live, 560 thousand of which were left without a shelter.

To my mind, while speaking or thinking about the earthquake, any Armenian has at least 3 different sensations: firstly, deep sorrow - because our not so numerous people suffered a heavy loss, secondly, pride - because our people did not succumb to the disaster and, though the stroke was too severe, they managed to get on their feet again: dwellings and houses rose from the ruins, newborn children began shouting and the streets were filled with the joyful bustling of playing teenagers. We should be proud of all of this. And finally, we have a feeling of gratitude. It is a well-known fact that one can hardly deal with a misfortune on his own and sorrow is borne up against easier if shared by others. We must be thankful to those individuals and governments who responded quickly to our grief, to our tragedy and offered us a helping hand.

Immense work has been done for the last decade to eliminate the consequences of the earthquake. Nevertheless, 19 years past the tragedy, we cannot still assert that all the problems are solved. It is true of course that all damaged schools have been repaired, numerous dwellings, roads, clubs have been built. Yet, 6 thousand households continue living under intolerable conditions in temporary shelters. We have not managed to restore all the infrastructures and much has to be done yet in this respect.

Dear residents of Nalband. Peoples without history are like orphan children. We have gone through many ordeals during our past history. We defied many challenges successfully. Sometimes, we had to make a way through the crossroads of history. Nonetheless, we were able to reach the 21st century. This was made possible due to our collective will, unfailing faith and owing to our people's united strength.

Let us believe that soon we will be able to state that all the problems caused by the earthquake are solved, that the residents of Nalband, Yerevan, Spitak, Gyumri, Vanadzor have equal opportunities for development, that people in Yerevan, Gyumri, Nalband, Vanadzor have equal possibilities for bettering their living standards.

I wish we could unite our efforts for the sake of our country's future day and gathered up for the defense of our homeland, if necessary. Also, I wish you never met with a misfortune like this again and handed down the strong belief of yours and your ancestors to your children so as they might build a better Armenia.

I am now reiterating my sympathy to you. I am aware that all of you will go to the cemetery tomorrow as almost every one has suffered a loss. Yet, I am calling on you once again to bear up well against the grief, however deep it is, and instill the hope of a better future into your children.

Thank you.