SYDNEY: The Armenian-Australian community’s #BachigsForBeirut fundraiser has concluded, raising over AU$150,000 for the Armenian community of Lebanon, which has committed to rebuilding following the devastating port explosion on 4th August 2020.

The #BachigsForBeirut appeal requested Facebook and electronic transfer donations from Armenian-Australians for one month, and was supported by the Armenian Apostolic Church of Australia, Armenian Catholic Church of Australia, Armenian Evangelical Church of Australia, Armenian Revolutionary Federation - Australia, Social Democrat Hunchakian Party - Australia, Armenian Democratic Liberal (Ramgavar) Party - Australia, Armenian Relief Society of Australia, Armenian General Benevolent Union - Sydney Chapter, Armenian Missionary Association of Australia, Armenian National Committee of Australia, Hamazkaine Cultural and Educational Society - Australia, Tekeyan Cultural Association - Australia, Nor Serount Cultural Association - Australia, Homenetmen Sporting & Scouting Association - Australia, Armenian Youth Federation of Australia, Dkhrouni Youth Association - Australia, Armenian Church Youth Association, AGBU Youth, Armenian Resource Centre of Australia and Armenia Media Inc.

The Facebook fundraiser raised $70,000, which was topped up by $48,000 in donations to the dedicated Armenian Relief Society of Australia bank account. In addition, the Kortian Family donated $35,000 to Beirut’s United Armenian College and the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Australia and New Zealand raised $18,000, bringing the total contribution from Armenian-Australians to over $171,000.

This total is on top of $30,000 raised by the Armenian Relief Society of Australia in March 2020.

The coordinating committee of the #BachigsForBeirut Fundraiser praised the Armenian-Australian community for their impeccable efforts.

“Our community rallied with hundreds of donations ranging from $5 to $10,000 to assist our brothers and sisters in Beirut in their efforts to rebuild their homes, churches, schools and community centres, which are central to the survival of the Armenian community in Lebanon,” said Janet Michaelian.

“The Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of the donors who contributed towards this worthy total.  Also a sincere thanks to the community organisations who put their scheduled plans on the backburner and committed their funds to assisting this campaign,” she added.

The funds will soon be transferred into the dedicated Crisis Fund of the Armenian Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia in Geneva, Switzerland.