Nazanin Zaghari, Information Officer, Federation Tehran Delegation
Three years ago, on 26 December, a devastating earthquake levelled the city of Bam, destroying the ancient citadel, and leaving 26,000 people dead, 30,000 injured and 75,000 homeless.
At least 85% of the city’s buildings were razed, including 119 health centres, clinics and hospitals, as well as 131 schools, which left some 20,000 students without school facilities.
Bam is located on a main fault line in Iran, which is ranked as the fourth most disaster-prone country in the world.
Today, nine schools, two health clinics, an orthopaedic centre and a road rescue centre, financed through the International Federation, have emerged from the rubble. Official inauguration ceremonies took place in Bam on the eve of the third anniversary of the tremor.
"I always dreamed of a school with pink walls and lovely chairs, and now my dream has come true," says Hossein, an eight-year-old student of the Marefat Primary School. “Sometimes what we believe is far away suddenly appears in front of our eyes. I never expected my school to be ready so early.”
It was a dream shared by all the students who had to study in temporary classes, housed in containers, while construction was going on. Now, with the inauguration of the new schools, equipped with modern facilities, this dream has finally come true, to the joy of teachers and parents as well.
In the recovery phase which followed the emergency operation, the International Federation gave priority to the reconstruction of schools, committing itself to building a total of nine schools in Bam, including five standard schools, three special institutions for disabled students and a model school complex.
The five standard schools were completed and handed over to the Ministry of Education in September 2006 and the three special schools for disabled children were completed at the end of November 2006. The Arg-e-Bam Model School Complex is close to final completion.
The inauguration ceremony of all the schools built by the International Federation was held on 6 December 2006 at the Arg-e-Bam Model School Complex. Students, teachers and parents held banners at the ceremony, which read: "Thanks for remembering us!", "We are happy that you did not forget us." and "Thanks to the International Federation for its support."
Some 200 people attended the event, including students, teachers and representatives of the Iranian Red Crescent Society and the International Federation. The Deputy Minister of Education of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Irish Ambassador to Iran, the Governor General of Kerman Province and the Governor of Bam attended.
Also present were representatives of the Red Cross national societies of Ireland, Japan, Sweden, the Netherlands and the Taiwan Red Cross Organization, as well as of UN agencies and international organizations.
In his speech, Dr. Khatami, President of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, thanked the International Federation and other donor Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies for their contributions:
"When the earthquake happened in Bam on 26 December 2003, we knew that many, many people had died, but the spirit of humanity was still alive," he said.
"It has been a great pleasure for us to have provided humanitarian assistance to the victims of the Bam earthquake, and to students in particular", said Ibrahim Osman, Deputy Secretary General of the International Federation. “I sincerely hope these schools will be remembered forever for the noble humanitarian spirit displayed by all after the earthquake.”
Speaking on behalf of donor national societies, Anthony Lawlor, Vice-President of the Irish Red Cross, noted:
"Youth constitutes a great part of Iran's population, and we thought it would be a good opportunity to support the education of these students, after the Bam earthquake left so many young people deprived of educational facilities. I feel very proud of what has been done. Iran has very talented students who deserve such a donation.”
Mr. Bourbour, Deputy Minister of Education in Iran, expressed his deep thanks to the International Federation for the reconstruction programme.
“Investment in the educational sector is an investment in the future of the nation,” said Mr. Bourbour. “We regard the International Federation’s support to the educational sector in Bam as a great contribution to the future of the Iranian people. We will never forget the valuable support of the International Federation, who assisted the earthquake victims when they were undergoing the most difficult times in their life.”
The most emotional part of the ceremony was a performance of disabled students. These children, who are visually and hearing-impaired, will study at the three special schools. They sang a song and “signed” their appreciation for the donors who had provided them with new schools. After the ceremony, the participants toured the schools and were warmly welcomed by students and teachers.
Of the nine schools, five standard schools of Jihad, Farhanghian, Montazeri, Kafi and Shamsaddini schools were constructed with funding from the Red Cross Societies of Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, Canada as well as from the Australian Government.
Three special schools, in Marefat, Maharathaye Herfeye Peyvand and Eng. Taheri Hanjani were constructed with financial support from the Red Cross Societies of Japan, Norway and Sweden.
The construction of the Arg-é-Bam Model School Complex was financed by the Red Cross Societies of Australia, Andorra, Canada, Croatia, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Monaco, Poland, Sweden and Taiwan Red Cross Organization; and the Governments of Australia, Ireland and Sweden.
In addition to the schools, the International Federation also constructed an urban health centre and a road rescue base with funding from the Hong Kong branch of the Chinese Red Cross Society, the Red Cross Societies of Belgium and Norway, and the Red Crescent Societies of Malaysia and Qatar.