Press Release
November 22, 2004

UMCOR Celebrates 10th Anniversary By Greening Malatia-Sebastia With ATP

UMCOR Armenia head Warren Harrity (right) planted trees at Motherhood Park with ATP Country Director Susan Yacubian Klein (center)

YEREVAN--In celebration of a decade of United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) activities in Armenia, the international organization marked its 10th anniversary with a tree planting at Motherhood Park in the Malatia-Sebastia community on November 19, in cooperation with Armenia Tree Project (ATP).

In partnership with ATP, UMCOR donated a total of 1,000 trees to the park. The event was initiated to foster community awareness of the urgent need to restore disappearing green areas. Furthermore, the event established a basis for further UMCOR-ATP collaborations with respect to community outreach and poverty reduction programs.

“UMCOR believes that improving the environment is something that will have a lasting effect on the families that live in Armenia, and we are honored to support such an important initiative in commemoration of our 10 years of service to Armenia,” said Warren Harrity, head of UMCOR Armenia.

In 2000, three participants in UMCOR’s “Global Justice Volunteer” program joined ATP staff by doing volunteer work in ATP programs. The volunteers were hosted by the families of ATP staff, and spent their time supporting ATP in its daily activities.

UMCOR was formed by the United Methodist Church in 1940 to alleviate the human suffering. In subsequent decades, it became UMCOR’s mission to assist people in need resulting from natural or manmade disasters, addressing three fundamental areas: emergency response, hunger and poverty, and refugee concerns.

Young boys from the Malatia-Sebastia community with a tree planted in celebration of the 10th anniversary of United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) activities in Armenia

In the aftermath of an earthquake, regional conflict, and economic distress, UMCOR established an office in Armenia in 1994. Initially the office focused on the distribution of pharmaceuticals to health institutions and clinics. Gradually the organization transitioned from relief to more developmental activities including the provision of medium-size agricultural loans, micro-credit, and the provision of agricultural inputs. For more information about UMCOR in Armenia, visit the Web site www.umcor.am.

ATP was founded in 1994 during Armenia’s darkest and coldest years with the vision of securing Armenia’s future by protecting Armenia’s environment. Funded by contributions from diasporan Armenians, ATP has by now planted and rejuvenated 580,000 trees at more than 500 sites ranging from Gyumri to Goris.

The Community Tree Planting (CTP) division plants and tends more than 40,000 trees each year. ATP is partnering with communities, schools, orphanages, and other institutions to plant and tend trees that deliver a range of tangible benefits. Our nurseries in Karin, Khachpar, and Vanadzor provide high quality, drought resistant indigenous trees for community tree planting and reforestation.

For additional information or to support ATP, write to 65 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472, or call (617) 926-TREE.

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