International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
Search :

Disaster management
Iran: Bam earthquake
(p10938)

Tragedy hit Iran on 26 December 2003 when a major earthquake registering 6.5 on the Richter scale hit its south-eastern province of Kerman at 05:28 (local time). The area most affected was the ancient city of Bam where more than 43,000 people were killed, an estimated 30,000 injured and up to 75,000 left homeless, according to official estimates.

In response to the disaster, the Iranian Red Cross Society (IRCS) mobilized more than 8,500 relief workers, volunteers and vehicles and launched large-scale rescue, evacuation and relief operations.

On 8 January 2004, the International Federation launched a revised appeal for 51.9 million Swiss francs (US$ 42 million) to provide food, shelter, water and medical services to the victims, and help prevent infections and disease from creating a greater humanitarian crisis.

Operation updates and appeals
5 April 2007
Interim final report
31 August 2006
Latest operations update
8 December 2004
Final report on the relief phase
29 September 2004
Final report on the relief phase
29 September 2004
Revised Plan of action
8 January 2004
Revised emergency appeal: 51.9 million Swiss francs
26 December 2006
Preliminary appeal: 15.4 million Swiss francs
View all appeals, operations updates and information bulletins
More information
Read more reports and stories on Iran
Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Photo galleries
Iran: Bam's earthquake, December 2003
Make a donation
Make a donation / bank transfer Make a donation / bank transfer
Related news stories
19 December 2006
New schools rise from the rubble in Bam three years after the devastating earthquake
10 October 2006
The school construction programme in Bam nears completion
28 June 2006
Urban Health Center in Bam, Iran completed
23 December 2005
Bam earthquake – two years later, the spirit of life is intact
20 December 2004
One year later, memories still haunt survivors of the Bam earthquake
23 September 2004
Bam’s Red Crescent hospital at the crossroads
12 March 2004
Painful memories for Bam’s lifesavers
19 February 2004
Topolino makes Bam’s ruins disappear
12 February 2004
Malaysian trailblazers bring smiles to Bam
10 February 2004
A prince amid the rubble of Bam
4 February 2004
100th baby born in the Red Cross Red Crescent hospital in Bam
3 February 2004
Taking the time to be quick
30 January 2004
Searching for a sense of security amid Bam’s rubble
28 January 2004
Guaranteeing safe water for Bam
26 January 2004
One month on, Bam’s suffering continues
23 January 2004
Saudi airlift vital part of Bam response
21 January 2004
Iran earthquake: from relief to reconstruction
16 January 2004
Delivering the goods to quake-stricken Bam
14 January 2004
Bam’s unique referral hospital
13 January 2004
Helping Bam's children to play again
12 January 2004
Hope for child victims of Bam earthquake
More International Federation news
Press releases
20 December 2004
Bam earthquake: one year later, thousands still need psychological support
9 February 2004
Royal concern over long-term future of Bam earthquake victims
4 February 2004
Turning point in assistance for Iranian earthquake victims at end of official mourning period
26 January 2004
Earthquake survivors in Bam begin moving in to tented camps
13 January 2004
Iranian Red Crescent deploys psychosocial support teams to help earthquake victims in Bam
8 January 2004
More funds urgently sought for Iran earthquake victims
7 January 2004
Queen Rania of Jordan visits Red Cross Red Crescent hospital in Bam
6 January 2004
Red Cross Red Crescent earthquake emergency services treat 1,000 patients
4 January 2004
97-year-old woman tells doctors how she survived Bam earthquake
3 January 2004
Red Crescent rescues 97-year-old woman from the ruins of Bam
2 January 2004
Enormous humanitarian needs in Bam one week after the earthquake
More International Federation press releases
Back to the top of the page