Teheran (Fides Service) - Caritas Italy has expressed sympathy and solidarity to Iran after the earthquake on 22 February in Kerman, south east of Iran, about 700 km from the capital Teheran, in which whole villages were razed to the ground. The death toll, destined to rise, is already 400 and at least 900 were injured. Thousands spent the night in the open either because they lost their homes or for fear of other quakes.
In a statement dated 22 February Caritas Italy said it was ready to offer immediate emergency aid and also to help with long term work of rebuilding homes and infrastructures particularly in the most affected villages and among the poorest of the victims.
Iran is still suffering the consequences of the earthquake in December 2003 which destroyed the historic city of Bam in which tens of thousands were killed, more than five thousands children were made orphans, hundreds of people suffered spine injuries, thousands were hurt in various ways and where 20% of the population still lives in tents or prefabs.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/2/2005 righe 16 parole 172)