Further duties connected with the relief of the refugees will shortly be taken over by the Urban Union, when it is proposed to open small hospitals and dispensaries in all refugee settlements.
It is estimated that between 11,000 and 12,000 refugees have returned to the valley of Alashkerd and to the Vilayet of Van, and that from 2,000 to 3,000 refugees belonging to the middle classes have settled in the Governments of Tiflis and Bakou.
The cost to the Union of feeding the refugees is estimated at between 18 and 19 copecks (4d.) per head per day.
The following are the rations issued to the refugees:—
| Bread, 108 lbs. | Rs. | 7·20 |  | Rs. 18·08 per 100 refugees per diem, or 18·08 copecks per head. |
| Meat, 20 lbs. | ” | 3·00 | ||
| Rice, 10 lbs. | ” | 1·20 | ||
| Potatoes, onions, salt, pepper | ” | 0·60 | ||
| Fuel (wood, peat or coal) | ” | 1·70 | ||
| Tea, ⅛ lb. | ” | 0·25 | ||
| Sugar, 4½ lbs. | ” | 1·13 | ||
| Rental for accommodation | ” | 1·00 | ||
| Administrative expenses | ” | 2·00 |
The Government ration is 1½ lbs. per person per day, or an allowance in cash, in lieu of rations, at the rate of 15 copecks a day or Rs. 4·50 per month. The Government method of sending provisions to points of distribution is, however, very erratic. Owing to the lack of railway facilities and to delays in remitting moneys by the Principal Committee, the refugees dependent on relief from this source have frequently to go without their bread for days and at times for weeks.
The following is a list of other organisations engaged in relief work in this country:—
- The Etchmiadzin Brotherhood;
- The Tiflis Armenian Central Committee;
- The Moscow Armenian Red Cross Committee;
- The Russian Red Cross Society; and
- The Communes of the various villages in which the refugees have settled.
The Etchmiadzin Brotherhood, under the chairmanship of the Katholikos, maintains branches of its organisation at Igdir, Erivan, Alexandropol, Kars, Nahichevan, Novo-Bayazid, and Karakeliss. Relief work was undertaken by the Brotherhood in March, 1915. Since that date, apart from the large quantities of clothing, medicines and other comforts served out to the refugees, a medical detachment has been organised at Igdir, and, in all, the Brotherhood has spent Rs. 900,000 (£90,000) in relief work. This, in the main, has been obtained by voluntary contribution from persons of Armenian nationality all over the world, but especially in the Russian Empire (at Petrograd, Moscow, Kharkov, &c.). The Brotherhood serves out with punctual regularity flour rations, money allowances, and clothing to the refugees. It has all along maintained kitchens at Igdir, Etchmiadzin, and Alexandropol, as well as hospitals in various places; has organised a proper system of medical aid; and has opened refugee orphanages, schools and workshops for the children. In short, the organisation is thorough, and this is one of the most important relief societies engaged in work in the Armenian refugee pale.
The Tiflis Armenian Central Committee has also been carrying out relief work for nearly ten months. This body maintains its own hospitals and kitchens, and hitherto has expended Rs. 200,000 (£20,000) in connection with the relief of Armenian refugees settled in the Government of Erivan. The necessary funds are raised by voluntary contributions collected from members belonging to Armenian society in the Caucasus.