The coming of winter brings a new set of problems for those living in make-shift temporary housing in Armenia’s “disaster zone” – the northwestern area of the country still showing the scares of the devastating 1988 earthquake.

Number one on the list is keeping warm. Gas, electricity, wood for fuel…it’s an expensive proposition.

Nowhere is the problem more acute than in Gyumri, Armenia’s second largest city.

To tackle the challenge, the Shirak Center, with assistance from overseas benefactor individuals and organizations, has been scheduling periodic allotments of fuel wood to those making do in decrepit trailers and abandoned buildings.

The project is called “10,000 Sacks of Wood for Homeless Families”. The following organizations have joined the initiative.

1. "Marc Tognazzi Memorial Found" and "Paros Foundation" - 300 sacks

2.  Elvis Madatyan (USA) – 200 sacks

3.  Garik Barseghyan (a Gyumri native now living in London) - 10 sacks 

4.  “Shirak”, a Swedish-Armenian benevolent society - 50 sacks:

5.  Le Cercle d'Ecrits Caucasiens publishers - 40 sacks

6.  Lars Knudsen and Lilit Gevorgyan - 10 sacks

7.  Pedro Zarokian and Yvette Ghazaryan - 5 sacks

The following video follows Shirak Center employees distributing fuel wood during their latest outreach action.