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Press Release

From the Department for International Development

DFID Crisis Management Group

Iran - Bam earthquake

SITUATION REPORT No 3

KEY DEVELOPMENTS

  • Majority of seriously injured flown out from Bam. Medical and food situation under control. Public health requires monitoring. Some power and water restored. Situation in Bam's 15 outlying villages requires further assessment.
  • Government of Iran continues to respond effectively, reducing the need for external emergency assistance. 20,000 national volunteers mobilised.
  • UK search and rescue ( SAR) teams to return to UK on 30 December, following end of SAR effort.
  • Relief phase in progress. DFID assessments continue in co-operation with key partners: UN, Government of Iran and Iranian Red Crescent.
  • 450 winterised tents from DFID stockpile and 110 shelter kits to be dispatched to Iran today.
  • Two cargo aircraft leased to Government of Iran for short term logistical use.

Assessments

1. Search and rescue teams withdraw as hopes of finding survivors fade.

2. UNDAC/ UK aerial assessment undertaken 28 December using Iranian military helicopter. All six SAR operational zones ( 21 districts) in Bam overflown. Areas near historic Old Fort, old city and football stadium particularly badly damaged. Situation in 15 outlying villages from Bam requires further detailed assessment.

Dead and injured

3. OCHA reports Iranian Government figures of approx. 16,000 dead, 20,000 injured and 70,000 homeless, many of whom are staying with family members. Iranian Ministry of Interior estimates death toll could reach 25,000.

4. Iranian Red Crescent has treated 30,000 casualties, 10,000 of whom have been evacuated.

Health

5. FCO reports medical situation under control with majority of seriously injured flown to other cities. No further need for field hospitals.

6. Iranian Red Crescent has established field hospital at Bam airport. To be used as holding station for critically injured awaiting air transfer.

Shelter

7. Iranian government planning to establish camps in Bam to house survivors.

Power, Water, Logistics

8. FCO reports temporary closure of Bam airport, probably to clear congestion. Need for assistance for flying goods between Bam and Kerman.

9. Iranian news agency reports restoration of a fifth of power supply. Generators being used in parts.

10. One water plant is reportedly currently providing a fifth of local needs.

11. Mobile phone system is impaired but communications are improving.

12. Traffic has eased, with rumours of police block on Kerman-Bam road.

Request for assistance

13. Short term needs appear to be broadly in hand and attention is now turning to rehabilitation and reconstruction requirements.

UK contribution

Summary of UK Pledges to date:

  Approx. value
Search and Rescue Operation  £200,000
IFRC Flash Appeal £150,000 ( actual)
Airlifts for tents  £100,000
450 winterised tents £50,000
Aircraft for use by Government of Iran £100,000
110 shelter kits Donated by Rotary Shelter Box
Support to UNDAC 2 UK funded personnel
UK Share of EU pledge  £100,000

      

14. Detail: On 30 December a AN-12 transport aircraft will arrive in Iran for use by the Iranian authorities. This will be joined by a second AN-12 carrying 14 tonnes of shelter equipment from DFID's UK stockpile. A third aircraft (a DC8-F) will carry a further 35 tonnes of shelter equipment to Kerman. The two AN-12s will remain in Iran until further notice.

 

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