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GYUMRI, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS: After the devastating earthquake in 1988 all the built structures and buildings – residential houses, schools, medical institutions and private objects – have been built in accordance with the seismic norms. The Head of the Department for Urban Development of the Shirak Marz Administration Albert Margaryan told Armenpress about it. “After the earthquake the construction is carried out in accordance with the latest seismic norms. There is no problem in the building strength”, - said the responsible for the urban development.
Albert Margaryan, though, stated that there are 88 emergency residential houses in Gyumri and 115 in the Marz and even in the case of the 7-magnitude earthquake the stability of these buildings cannot be guaranteed. “Thus we are not insured, as there are about 3,000 families, living in the houses”, - said the Head of the Department for Urban Development of the Shirak Province Administration.
A quarter of a century ago the devastating earthquake of Spitak violated the peace of Armenia. On December 7 1988 at 11:41 am local time, a destructive earthquake occurred in Armenia with magnitude of 10 points in the epicenter. Within several seconds the cities of Spitak, Leninakan, Kirovakan and Stepanavan and the villages of Spitak, Akhuryan, Gugark, Aragats, Kalinino and Stepanavan were partially or fully destroyed. More than 25,000 people died and 500,000 were left homeless. The economy of Armenia faced damages of 13 billion rubles. More than 113 countries of the world and 7 international organizations provided aid to Armenia.
Hundreds of rescuers and doctors arrived in the country. A number of Diaspora Armenians hurried to the motherland bringing with them food, clothes and medicines.
Different states continued providing assistance to Armenia also during the next years after the earthquake. Italians and Austrians have built residential districts in Spitak, the Norwegians built a modern hospital and the English – a school, etc.
The Government of Armenia has allocated 78,8 billion drams to the homeless since 2007. In the framework of the program 5500 families have been provided with housing. The program will complete in 2014 aiming at providing more apartments to the earthquake survivors. Currently the number of the homeless families is 1000 and upon the completion of the program, all they will be provided with housing.