US NEW AMBASSADOR TRAVELS TO ARMENIAN GYUMRI

GYUMRI, DECEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS:The US ambassador to Yerevan John Ordway traveled today to Armenia°s second largest town of Gyumri, heavily hit by 1988 earthquake and still recovering from it. The ambassador was welcomed in Gyumri by the governor of the province of Shirak Felix Pirumian. The goal of the visit was to look into how the earthquake zone was being restored. The US government and other agencies are among major donor organizations, providing funds for restoration of the zone. Mr. Ordway visited a residential area, built by the US Red Cross Society that gave permanent shelters to around 360 families. The ambassador was also interested in another US-supported program, implemented by the USAID that has allocated $22 million for granting vouchers to local homeless families that allow them to purchase flats at the local real estate market. Upon its completion the USAID project will involve some 2,400 families in Gyumri. The visit of the US ambassador to the town coincided with the opening of the local branch of International Research and Exchange Board (IREX). After attending the ceremony Mr. Ordway met with teachers of elementary classes, students and high school pupils who had been trained in the USA through IREX. The US ambassador also visited a local company Atoyan and Brothers, which specializes in production of dairy products. The company°s establishment became largely possible thanks to the assistance of the US Department of Agriculture Marketing Assisting Project. Mr. Ordway also visited a warehouse of local farmers, where they keep their harvest. The ambassador talked there with farmers.