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.