Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) – The violent earthquake which struck the Iranian city of Bam on 26 December killed 35.000 people, many died because of inadequate material used for building. Mud used in construction pulverised causing breathing difficulties and suffocation. “And this in a city like Bam relatively modern but built without any earthquake proof precautions” Silvio Tessari, working with Caritas Italy mission in Iran told Fides adding sad details: 9.000 school age children killed, 6.000 made orphans, 250 villages around Bam suffered various degrees of damaged.
Caritas International network, activated within hours after the quake, is intervening in this first emergency stage but also planning long term rebuilding assistance of homes and infrastructures. Family packs of food, cooking utensils, hygiene packs, infant kits various other material are being distributed in the presence of representatives of the Catholic Church in Iran and members of Caritas Internationalis Task Force Erst led by Caritas Italy which is co-ordinating assistance in the Bam area. The first Caritas convoy left Teheran today for Bam carrying food, detergents, cooking utensils, blankets, hygienic material to supply 250 families for a month in keeping with UN standards. Other aid being sent will enable the study of more complex, after emergency, long term projects to assist the stricken people. (S.L.) (Fides Service 12/1/2004; lines 18; words 263)
