Friday 9 January 2004
Australia has responded swiftly and generously to help victims of the severe earthquake that struck the city of Bam in South-eastern Iran early on 26 December.
Official Australian aid for victims of the disaster now stands at $4.5 million (see table below).
Map of Iran showing location of earthquake
The scale of the disaster is great and the Australian government has extended its condolences to those affected.
On Saturday 28 December, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Downer announced an initial pledge of $2m for immediate relief assistance. This was in response to calls by the Government of Iran, the United Nations and international agencies.
On Friday 9 January, in response to a UN flash humanitarian appeal launched on 8 January, Mr Downer announced the contribution of an additional $2 million.
Earlier, Australia mounted an emergency airlift, which was jointly organised by AusAID, the Department of Defence and Emergency Management Australia, drawing on stand-by emergency relief stores in Sydney, at an estimated cost of $500,000.
Australian Assistance Totals $4.5 million
Official Australian aid for Iran earthquake victims to Friday 9 January 2004
| Agency | Amount | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| UNICEF/UNICEF Australia | 800,000 | Provide physical and psychosocial support to children and caregivers affected by the earthquake |
| United Nations Development Program | 600,000 | Support for the construction of longer term shelter in Bam and surrounding areas |
| Australian Red Cross/Iranian Red Crescent | 500,000 | Contribution to Australian Red Cross to support the work of the Iranian Red Crescent Society |
| World Health Organisation | 800,000 | To establish primary health care services |
| World Food Program | 1,000,000 | Provide food assistance to 100,000 persons in Bam and surrounding villages |
| World Vision Australia | 300,000 | Support for World Vision activities in the areas of household support and education |
| AusAID Disaster Supplies and transport | 500,000 | Supply and RAAF transport of emergency disaster store supplies to Bam |
| Total (AUD$) | $4,500,000 |
Situation Report - (as at midday AEDT 9 January 2004)
The following is based on reporting by the Australian Embassy, Tehran, and information provided by the United Nations. As well, Iranian authorities are briefing donors in Geneva and Tehran and international support teams in Bam.
The earthquake, which occurred early on the morning of 26 December, measured 6.3 on the Richter scale and was centred on Bam, in Kerman province, south-eastern Iran. Within the province some 200,000 persons were affected, of whom 100,000 had resided in Bam.
Consolidated assessment of the situation is not yet available. Official revised figures (as of 6 January) indicate:
- More than 30,000 confirmed dead, feared to rise to 34,000
- 35,000 injured, of whom some 10,000 have been medically evacuated to other parts of Iran
- 70,000 people homeless
- 85 per cent of houses destroyed in the immediately affected area, including both of the city's hospitals and all of its 23 health centres.
Australian Community Support
Australians who wish to assist on a personal basis are encouraged to make a cash donation to an Iran earthquake appeal by an Australian aid organisation. Australian aid organisations are listed on the Australian Council for International Development's website at www.acfoa.asn.au.
The following NGOs have advised that they are conducting Iran earthquake
appeals:
Australian Red Cross: 1 800 811 700 www.redcross.org.au
CARITAS: 1 800 024 413
Oxfam/CAA: 1 800 034 034
UNICEF Australia: 1 300 884 233
World Vision Australia: 133 240 www.worldvision.com.au