Epress.am News from Armenia
Syrian-Armenians living in Armenia would like to see transparency in the allocation of government benefits they are set to receive. On Monday, they will discuss these concerns at a meeting with representatives of the RA Ministry of Diaspora, said Syrian-Armenian Robert Sulahyan at a press conference earlier today.
"Many ask, 'Where did the allowance go? Who pocketed it? What happened? I didn't get it.' And there are many issues that need to be transparent, so the calculations have to be presented to the public. Our demand is that this issue be clarified," he said.
According to Sulahyan, the reason for the meeting was discussions on Facebook in which many users expressed serious dissatisfaction with the distribution of benefits.
"We expect to get answers today. The distribution of benefits in Armenia is carried out with the support of the Ministry of Diaspora, and in Syria, by a specially formed headquarters body. What we're saying is that the ministry has to present the facts and ensure transparency in allocation. Today's meeting will be the first, so we believe those who are dissatisfied will come and will express their complaints on the spot," said another participant at the press conference, Vazgen Berghutyun.
According to Berghutyun there is talk that apart from the diaspora ministry, the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund also was to provide financial aid to Syrian Armenians.
"It was said that 10% of the $22 million 661 thousand collected in the 2013 telethon belongs to Syrian Armenians, about which there were many discussions on Facebook, as to what happened to that money. We hope that this will be discussed at today's meeting as well. Two million is not a small amount of money, and we will ask for explanations also concerning this matter," concluded Berghutyan.