The Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) was founded after the devastating earthquake, which stuck Northern Armenia in December 1998. As the humanitarian aim of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, it was originally known as the Diocese Fund for Armenian Relief (DFAR). In March 1993, FAR was formally reorganized into a Private Voluntary Organization. It is headquartered in New York City (President - Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Chairman - Kevork S. Hovnanian, Executive Director Simon Y. Balian). FAR has branch offices in Yerevan and representation in Gyumri.