Aghavni Papazian (born Zalekian) was born in 1886 in Adapazarı. From a young age she has been a member of the Armenian Red Cross in her hometown.

She married Krikor Papazian, who was a High Commissioner for the French Republic and who was at the same time an employee at the Nansen International Office for Refugees.

Vahan Papazian, the founder of the Blue Cross of France, met with Krikor Papazian to inform him that the ARF wanted to establish a Red Cross branch in Lebanon to organize the situation of the Armenian refugees. Since he was a very busy man, Mr. Krikor Papazian suggested that his wife might be of assistance in this matter. And thus, on the 2nd of June, 1929, in the residence of the Papazians in Beirut, the first chapter of the Armenian Red Cross of Lebanon was established.

During the Second World War and with the directions of N. Aghpalian, Aghavni and other members launched the program “A plate of food” which continues to be one of the most fundamental and essential aids set by the ARCL.

Agahvni Papazian passed away in 1988 after years of distinguished activism becoming an example of her rigorousness to many of the women in her community.

The branch was founded in 1980 in Zalka.

The chapter operates from inside the ARF “Karekin Njteh” Center.