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.