ACT News Update

Iran 01/04

ACT members continue assisting survivors of Iran earthquake

A team from Hungarian Baptist Aid is providing medical care to survivors of the earthquake in Bam; photo by Hungarian Baptist Aid/ACT

Geneva, January 8, 2004—Churches and their related relief agencies which make up the global alliance Action by Churches Together (ACT) International are continuing to respond to the needs of survivors of the catastrophic earthquake that leveled much of the ancient Iranian city of Bam. The quake is believed to have claimed the lives of more than 30,000 people.

Some of the destruction from the earthquake in Bam; photo by the Middle East Council of Churches/ACTTwo weeks after the quake struck, the need for immediate emergency assistance has lessened, although longer-term needs such as adequate shelter, hygiene and medical care are now coming to the forefront. Faced with the devastation of their city, people also have to cope with bitterly cold temperatures at night, which can fall to minus 10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit).

Much-needed funds coming from ACT members around the world have made it possible for those ACT members working in Bam to carry out critical humanitarian assistance. Material aid has also been rushed to the injured and homeless.

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the local ACT member in Iran, had by January 6 delivered 15,120 cans of jam and canned food, 13,664 cans of cooking oil and 3,812 tins of canned fish to Bam. Between MECC and ACT member Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), who is also working in Iran, some 500 tents will be delivered by week's end, with more to be provided.

MECC reports that its assessment team of relief specialists has met with the Iranian Red Crescent, which along with the Iranian Government has been working successfully to meet people's needs in the initial aftermath of the earthquake.

Several US-based ACT members are working together to airlift medical supplies to Iran. The shipment, which is expected to leave this week, contains 100 boxes of medical supplies, valued at $3,500 each. Each box contains medicines for adults and children including pain relievers, vitamin/mineral supplements, gauze bandages and pads, adhesives, medicine for intestinal worm infection, Amoxicillin, topical antibiotic and antifungal agents, oral rehydration salts, aminophylline for asthma, anti-infective/anti-protozoals for adults and children, anti-anemia drugs, antiseptic, antihistamine and Cefzil (for treatment of bacterial infections). These medical supplies will serve 100,000 people for three months.

A team from Hungarian Baptist Aid is providing medical care to survivors of the earthquake in Bam; photo by Hungarian Baptist Aid/ACTA medical team of ACT member Hungarian Baptist Aid (HBAid) reports that since their arrival in the city and establishment of a medical tent known as the "Hungarian Hospital," they have treated several hundred people over the last few days. "Some of them were badly injured, some of them suffered from pneumonia (made worse by freezing temperatures at night), and one day our team was asked to go to two villages near Bam, because survivors were found there and there were not enough doctors to provide medical care."

HBAid also reports that many survivors seen by the medical team had been ignoring their smaller injuries and were happy just to be alive, yet after a few days had realized they needed medical attention.

Several ACT members have also made offers to second staff with specialist training to those ACT members working in Iran. These workers could provide such services as psychosocial assistance to survivors of the earthquake.

An ACT Appeal is to be issued by mid-January.

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