Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bam (Fides Service) – While Iran lives a difficult political moment with a battle between reformers and conservatives with regard to drafting of lists of candidates for the next parliamentary elections, in and around the city of Bam struck by a devastating earthquake on 26 December, the emergency persists and humanitarian workers continue their service including Caritas Internationalis volunteers.
In Bam, Caritas Internationalis has 162 people from various countries distributing supplies, providing medical care and psychological counselling. They work tirelessly in and around the ruined city where there is still a serious situation of death and destruction.
To assist the many who survived the disaster but with physical injuries and traumas, Caritas Internationalis staff have started special support programmes. Survivors lost at least one relative in the earthquake, 6,000 children lost both parents. There are no teachers and it is difficult to reorganise didactic activity for children: at least 1,200 teachers were killed and with them about 9.000 school children.
In this tragedy Caritas is doing all it can: a special Caritas Internationalis appeal triggered response for all over the world and many organisations of the Caritas network are providing money, material and personnel. Among the many who responded generously national Caritas offices in Democratic Congo and Poland. The volunteers organise camps of tents for the homeless and provide all the necessary material needs.
Caritas workers are appreciated by the local people for their attitude of participation in the tragedy being lived by the people, the support offered to all and also for their openness: in humanitarian work they collaborate with other workers especially members of Muslim organisations present en masse on the field, as well as with civil authorities in Bam and surrounding villages
(PA) (Fides Service 14/1/2004 lines 27 words 260)
