Haig Khatcho, a Syrian-Armenian physician who escaped ISIS persecution and resettled in Artsakh a couple of years ago, celebrated housewarming today in the Ishkhanadzor Village of the Kashatagh region. The house has been built by the Tufenkian Foundation, in the framework of a program aimed at providing housing support to Armenians willing to relocate to Kashatagh. Tufenkian Foundation Trustee and Director of Development John Antranig Kasbarian, Tufenkian Foundation Executive Director Raffi Doudaklian, as well as Stepan Sargsyan, assistant of the Kashatagh Adminsitrative Region’s leader and chairman of Hayrenaser organization, local media, the mayor of Ishkhanadzor and others attended the event.

Haig Khatcho relocated to Artsakh together with his three daughters in 2015, in the midst of the Syrian war, after he was captured by ISIS and forced to renounce his Christianity. After being released and deciding to find refuge in Artsakh, the physician started a new life in the Ishkhanadzor village of the southern Kashatagh region.

A neuropathologist by specialty, Dr. Khatcho now works as a general practitioner in the only clinic of the village, established by the Tufenkian Foundation during 2004-2005.

“When I first came to Ishkhanadzor, I immediately felt at home. The people were very welcoming and accepted me with open arms and hearts. I and my three daughters, all teenagers, feel very safe here. Thank you for this house, it really gives a new life to us” said Haig.  

The construction of Dr. Khatcho's house began in September 2016 and was completed in June 2017. Transformed from deserted ruins into a fully renovated residence, this house is now ready to become a new home to ensure dignified living for Haig Khatcho and his family.

“We are happy that he has found a home in the land of his ancestors. Haig was captured twice by ISIS and both times they threatened to kill him. He was lucky to survive because he escaped death twice. It is our honor and duty to support all those who want to come and live on this liberated Armenian land,” said Raffi Doudaklian, TF Executive Director.

Antranig Kasparian, TF Trustee and Director of Development, mentioned in his remarks the importance of Ishkhnadzor as a strategic town in the southern part of the Kashatagh region. “This town is a crossing place and it is our obligation to make sure that it prospers and is populated accordingly. Haig Khatcho will bring his part in the development of this region. This town has welcomed Armenians from Lebanon, Syria and many other places in Armenia and elsewhere. We are happy to say that this is Armenia, the homeland of all Armenians,” stated Kasparian.