MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
Australia has responded quickly to an international call for assistance with
up to $200 000 in humanitarian aid for earthquake ravaged Iran.
On Saturday a powerful earthquake jolted the remote eastern Khorosan area of
Iran bordering Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, resulting in the immediate deaths
of at least 2500 people. Many thousands of others were injured and made
homeless.
The scale of this appalling disaster is becoming more apparent each day.
Australia provided $100 000 when Iran was struck by an earthquake on the 12th
of March this year.
Iran has appealed for international help with medical supplies, surgical
teams, tents, food and water tankers.
The humanitarian assistance, to be coordinated by AusAID, is expected to be
made available following an immediate review of submissions from Australian NGOs
and international aid agencies.
Media contact: Peter
Collins (Mr Downer's Office) 06 277 7500/0411 414 695 Mark Giffard. (AusAID) 06
206 4968