Devastating earthquake that shook Armenia for few seconds on December 7, 1988 lasted too long. Today is the 25th anniversary. It’s hard to count the amount of money sent to the Disaster zone, but it’s even harder to say where that money went, as the Disaster zone is still a disaster zone.
On 1990’s Armenian newly independent republic was facing serious trials and the earthquake was one of them. After Armenia won the war, it was expected that the country will start an inner war of overcoming earthquake results, which was equally important as Artsakh war. However, time granted us with different gifts.
RA second president Robert Qocharyan, who’s “famous” as “Robert the constructor” announced that Disaster zone will be eliminated.
For sake of justice, we should note that there has been a mass construction in Armenia during the “reign” of all presidents, mostly through international charity funds, even at the expense of unknown benefactors; however, the productivity was more important than the continuation.
Only numbers witness about productivity. There are over 4 thousand homeless families living in Gyumri after 25 years of the disaster. Armenian authorities, however, acknowledge only 1200 of the homeless. Neither authorities, nor the Government care about the solution of this problem. According to the announcement made by financial department of Gyumri’s Municipality, 24 thousand citizens have left the city in 2013. Hence, Gyumri not only fails eliminate its “status” as Disaster zone, but also becomes a “dying” city.
On this background, Armenian authorities will remember the disastrous day with tragic tone and will note that they must eradicate the disaster zone and will make long speeches about works that have been done and their achievements. None of this will change anything in Gyumri that will soon be empty. The reality is that December 7 is no longer a mourning day but a day of shame, as it was suggested by Levon Barseghyan, president of Gyumri’s journalists’ unon.
Photo by: Hayk Barseghyan
Aghasi Margaryan
