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Earthquake
survivors in Bam begin moving in to tented camps 26 January 2004 Twelve tent camps have now been set up in and around the city of Bam to house survivors of the devastating earthquake which, according to the latest official figures, killed at least 41,000 people on 26 December. These camps currently house 1,400 families (6,500 people) and provide them with proper water and sanitation services and basic health care. An estimated 75,000 people are thought to be homeless. The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) will manage these camps, with support from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Social and recreational spaces as well as schools are also being planned in these sites. One of these camps, called Hamadan, will shelter 3,000 people injured in the earthquake and who had been temporarily evacuated to the provincial capital, Kerman, for medical treatment. The Federation has provided tents, blankets, mobile warehouses, kitchen utensils and jerry cans for this camp. “By erecting these camps, the Iranian Red Crescent and the Federation will be able to deliver humanitarian assistance more effectively and efficiently. This will make life easier for earthquake survivors,” explains Iain Logan, the Federation’s head of field operations in Bam. “People will have better and easier access to potable water as well as sanitation and bath facilities. The distribution of food and other relief items will also be made easier and the opening of schools will mark the resumption of some normal activities for children, to help them overcome the trauma caused by the earthquake.” Basic health care services in these camps are being provided by two German Red Cross Emergency Response units (ERU) and one Japanese Red Cross ERU. Emergency response units from the Austrian, Spanish and Swedish Red Cross are setting up water distribution points, latrines and showers. The Norwegian Red Cross team is supplying tent warehouses to store relief items. In the meantime, the Iranian Red Crescent continues to provide essential assistance to tens of thousands of survivors. IRCS volunteers have been going from tent to tent to register affected families. So far, the Iranian Red Crescent teams have distributed more than 84,000 ration cards. The International Federation is supporting the IRCS relief operation for earthquake victims through an appeal launched on 8 January for 51.9 million Swiss francs. To date, 38.4 per cent of this amount has been raised. For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: In Bam: Till Mayer, Press Officer - Tel: + 882 162 111 54 87 In Geneva: Marie-Françoise Borel, Press Officer - Tel: + 41 22 730 43 46 / + 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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