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funds urgently sought for Iran earthquake victims, says Red Cross
Red Crescent 8 January 2004 The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is urgently seeking more funds today in order to avert another humanitarian crisis in the earthquake-devastated city of Bam. Appealing for 51.9 million Swiss francs (US$ 42 million) amid the ruins of the city, the president of the International Federation, Juan Manuel Suárez del Toro, said: “The scale of the disaster is so great that emergency relief will be required for several months to come. The people of Bam need adequate shelter, food, health services and sanitation for the foreseeable future. If they don’t get this, we risk seeing epidemics developing and more suffering and heartache.” About 75,000 people are thought to be homeless with many thousands still sleeping outdoors in freezing temperatures with few or no belongings. Consequently, the threat of respiratory tract infections has risen sharply. In addition, the area traditionally suffers from endemic diseases such as malaria and has recently experienced typhoid and cholera epidemics. The appeal, which incorporates the initial 15.4 million Swiss francs (US$ 12.3m) sought by the International Federation on December 26 to support the response of the Iranian Red Crescent, will assist up to 210,000 people for up to eight months. Today’s appeal is being launched simultaneously with one by the UN, with Under-Secretary General, Jan Egeland, representing the organization. The simultaneous launch reflects efforts by both organizations to complement each other’s work. Basic food, shelter and other essential relief supplies will be provided through the International Federation’s appeal to 150,000 people while efforts to prevent outbreaks of water-borne epidemics will be made through the continued provision of water and sanitation facilities and the building of latrines. Funds from the appeal will also help restore the primary health care and referral capacities of the area through the continued presence of a 200-bed Red Cross Red Crescent hospital, the establishment of basic health care units, mobile clinics, a 30-bed rehabilitation centre and a unit to provide psychological support to both earthquake victims and relief workers. The plight of at least 1,850 unaccompanied children in Bam will also be addressed by the Iranian Red Crescent who not only rescued 11,000 people alive from the rubble, but distributed emergency aid to more than 40,000 families within the first few days of the disaster. “The situation for these children is tragic,” said Dr. Ahmad Ali Noorbala, president of the Iranian Red Crescent. “For those without any extended family, we aim to provide accommodation, psychological support, care and education. For those who may still have relatives, we will provide financial support. We have to help them recover from this trauma.” Funds from the appeal will also help the Iranian Red Crescent, the only national emergency rescue and relief organization in the fourth most disaster-prone country in the world, to strengthen its capacity to respond to future disasters in the area. The region was already suffering from the effects of four years of drought before the earthquake. For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: In Bam: Denis McClean, Head, Media service - Tel: + 882 162 111 5487 Saleh Dabbakeh, Information Officer - Tel: +882 162 111 5630 Spanish Red Cross Cristina Estrada - Tel: + 882162 111 55 77 German Red Cross Fredrik Barkenhammar - Tel: + 88 163 144 92 17 Qatar Red Crescent Farooq Burney (Urdu / Hindi) - Tel: + 88 216 616 7774 Finnish Red Cross Lasse Kylanpaa - Tel: + 870 762 565 777 Norwegian Red Cross Marit Opland - Tel: + 882 165 110 5857 Canadian Red Cross Suzanne Charest - Tel: + 98 912 217 25 07 Italian Red Cross Stefano Mariani - Tel: + 88 21 65 11 01 326 In Geneva: Marie-Françoise Borel, Press Officer - Tel: + 41 79 217 33 45 Duty phone - Tel: + 41 79 416 38 81 The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. © International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies |
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