United Nations sent team to respond to Iran earthquake

(New York: 26 December 2003): Today, on 26 December 2003, at 05:27 a.m. local time, an earthquake of magnitude 6.7 struck the city of Bam, Kerman Province, in southeastern Iran. Initial reports have indicated heavy casualties but no exact figures are yet available. It is estimated that at least 60 percent of the houses in the city have collapsed. The city hospital in Bam has also collapsed, and telephone lines and the water and power supply are cut off. Search and rescue activities are being conducted by the provincial government, the Iranian military and the Iranian Red Crescent Society. The UN Disaster Management Team (UNDMT) in Tehran are sending two teams to the affected area.
The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has indicated that it would welcome international assistance. There is a special need for medical items and mobile hospitals, tents, blankets, generators, water purification equipment and search and rescue teams, including sniffer dogs and search equipment. As part of the United Nations efforts, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has dispatched a United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team to assist in the coordination of relief efforts. OCHA has also made available an initial emergency grant of US$ 90,000. The Office will continue to monitor the developments on the ground and will keep the international aid community informed of the response requirements.