A Round Table 3``0 years of the Spitak earthquake: history,  experience and lessons of the tragedy`` took place in Yerevan

ArmInfo. The Round Table ''30 years of Spitak earthquake:  history, experience and lessons of the tragedy'' took place in the Scientific and Educational Center  "Noravank" Director of Noravank Foundation with the participation of  senior diplomats from the embassies of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan  in Armenia, representatives of the 102nd Russian base expert and  social circles.

 As a senior researcher at the Institute of Oriental  Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, member of the  Eurasian Expert Club Armen Manvelyan, noted in his report, the Spitak  earthquake of 1988 was one of the tragic pages in the history of the  Armenian people. "As a result of this earthquake, the entire north of  the Republic was completely destroyed. The earthquake took the lives  of more than 25 thousand people, 19 thousand became disabled, half a  million people were left homeless, partially or completely destroyed  21 cities and urban-type settlements, 324 villages, city Spitak  leveled off the ground, 80% of the housing stock of the city of  Leninakan was destroyed, 230 industrial facilities were out of order,  Armenia lost 52% of its economic potential, "he said.

According to him, people from all over the world rushed to help  surviving the tragedy of Armenia - 113 countries of the world  provided assistance, including many European states. Belgium, Great  Britain, Italy, Norway, France, Germany, Switzerland and other  countries provided rescue equipment, food and medicine.  "Numerous  international organizations and communities also participated in  rendering assistance to Armenia. Assistance on planes, trains,  columns of cars, etc. began to arrive in Armenia from different  countries of the world," the expert concluded.

In turn, Lilit Asoyan, Cand. Sc., associate professor at Shirak State  University, noted that the power and consequences of this  catastrophic earthquake later in the press will be compared with the  explosion of ten atomic bombs. "In terms of the scale of destruction,  the earthquake covered almost half of the republic's area. According  to official data, 25 thousand people died (according to open sources  up to 60 thousand), 140 thousand became disabled, and 514 thousand  people lost their homes. The entire industrial complex was put out of  operation - 230 industrial enterprises (about 40%), housing stock -  almost 90% ", - she said.

According to her, the tragedy of Armenia shook the whole world.  "Offers of help began to arrive literally from the first hours after  the disaster. Doctors and rescuers from France, Switzerland, Great  Britain, Germany, and the USA arrived in the affected republic. At  the airports of Yerevan and Leninakan, planes landed with a cargo of  medicines, donated blood, medical equipment, clothing and food  supplies from Italy, Japan, China and other countries. Help came from  113 countries from all continents. Even from those countries with  which the USSR did not have diplomatic relations - Israel, South  Korea, Chile and South Africa. Compassion for the people Political  disagreements and differences overcame Armenia.World- famous mother  Teresa launched extensive charitable activities in Armenia, during  this bitter time, the people of Armenia felt the support of their  compatriots living in all parts of the world with particular force. 

A week after the disaster, the French singer of Armenian origin,  Charles Aznavour, established the ''Aznavour for Armenia'' charity  foundation to raise funds to help his historic homeland. He collected  6 million dollars for his countrymen. The famous Armenian businessman  and philanthropist Alek Manukyan and the American financier,  billionaire Kirk (Kirk) Kerkorian provided significant financial  assistance.  Nikolay Ryzhkov, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of  the USSR of that period, made an invaluable contribution to  earthquake relief. In Armenia, he is still revered as a hero and a  great friend of the Armenian people".,concluded Asoyan.

To note, A Round Table was organized by the research and analytical  public organization "Integration and Development", the scientific and  educational foundation "Noravank" and the Eurasian Expert Club.