Press Release

From the Department for International Development

DFID Crisis Management Group

Iran - Bam earthquake

SITUATION REPORT No 4 

KEY DEVELOPMENTS

• 17,000 – 50,000 reported dead. Approx. 70,000 homeless and 10,000 injured. 
  

• Food and water supplies adequate; shelter and health needs being addressed; primarily through effective work of Iranian Red Crescent and national authorities.
  

• Further international support best addressed at medium and long term reconstruction.
  

• Khamenei and Khatami pledged ongoing support on visit to Bam.

UK support: 

• DFID has committed approx. £770,000 worth of assistance.
  

• UK search and rescue teams returning to Stansted tonight. High praise from Iran for their effort.
  

• 360 winterised tents from DFID stockpile off loaded in Iran, with good co-operation from Iranian authorities.
  

• Lease for 2 aircraft donated to Government of Iran for short term use. First containing 90 tents and 110 shelter kits landed in Tehran with transfer to Bam tomorrow; second due in Tehran today.

Casualties

1. OCHA report collective Search and Rescue teams ( SAR) saved approx. 1,000 lives. 

2. DFID team report approx. 17,000 dead; expected to increase to 20,000 over coming days. OCHA report approx. 20,000 dead, rising to 25,000. Press sources quote 50,000 dead.

3. Iranian Red Crescent treated 30,000 casualties in four days, of which 10,000 evacuated for tertiary care in seven centres in Iran.

4. Approx. 70,000 homeless, many of whom staying with family. 80 percent of houses destroyed in immediate affected area.

Co-ordination

5. Secretary General of Iranian Red Crescent chaired first relief assistance co-ordination meeting December 29. Well attended by Iranian officials, UN agencies and NGOs, with needs clearly articulated.

6. Iranian Red Crescent to co-ordinate NGOs following departure of SAR teams; identification cards and volunteer translators to be provided. 

7. Provincial authorities established co-ordination offices in Kerman and Bam.

8. 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. Initial indications that some outlying villages sustained heavy damage but numbers relatively small.

Health

9. Health situation stabilising. Tertiary care needs still require evacuation. Two Bam hospitals probably beyond repair. Maternity unit has limited function.

10. Rehabilitation of health system a priority. Ministry of Health and Iranian Red Crescent focusing on restarting seven public health clinics in city and providing primary and secondary care in other areas. Iranian Red Crescent established pharmaceuticals arrivals centre to sort and dispatch donated supplies.

Shelter

11. Shelter remains a priority. Majority of homeless in robust family tents distributed by Iranian Red Crescent. Some in smaller donated tents; others in communal camps (5-6 tents) near destroyed homes.

12. Iranian Red Crescent has capacity to distribute more tents and non food items to reduce cramped shelter conditions and protect against cold. Distribution to date equitable, rapid and impressive. Tents and blankets arriving and appreciated. Needs for blankets, kitchen sets, kerosene lamps and cooking pots partially met by distributions.

13. Reception centre for unsolicited items overflowing.

Security

14. Security a frequently expressed concern, particularly for female-headed households. Government responding rapidly with military patrols. No reports of looting (contrary to media speculation). Street lighting damaged.

Food and non food items ( NFIs)

15. DFID reports food being distributed by Red Crescent and individuals; needs broadly met.

16. As at 29 December, Iranian Red Crescent has mobilised 90,000 tents, 153,000 blankets, 56,000 clothing items, 30,000 mats, 7,000 bottles of mineral water, 103,000 boxes of detergent and 6,900 boxes of hygiene items to approx. 40,000 beneficiaries. Not all distributed but in pipeline.

Power and Water

17. Approx. 50% of mains water supply restored. Other needs being met through Red Crescent roadside distribution of potable water. 

18. Some electricity restored. 

Tracing

19. Need to trace location of 10,000 evacuees; sufficient national capacity in place. 

Logistics

20. FCO reports closure of Bam airport, due to saturation with relief goods and damage. Need for assistance for flying goods between Bam and Kerman ( DFID leased aircraft will be primarily used for this)

UK contribution

21. DFID assessment teams advise that Iranian Red Crescent Society have sufficient capacity to deliver required assistance. Role for international NGOs appears limited; except for specific technical services. 

Summary of UK Pledges to date

22. Search and rescue teams comprised UK fire service teams, 4 DFID staff, NGOs- International Rescue Corps, Canis, Rapid, Bird. Total 67 rescue personnel with specialist search equipment and 4 dogs.

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