OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Iran - Earthquake
23 February 2005


This report is based on information provided by the Office for the 
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Tehran and the Office of the 
United Nations Resident Coordinator in Tehran.

Situation

1. An earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale occurred on Tuesday 
22 February in Zarand, Kerman Province (750KM south-east of Tehran) at 
05:55 local time. Based on the latest information received from the 
Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), 430 persons are confirmed dead, 
while 900 persons are injured. The affected region comprises 40 villages 
and 3 main towns with an overall population of 40,000 persons.

2. According to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, the earthquake damaged 
a number of villages (Rooein Abad, Akbar, Asghar, Dehaafkan, Behabad, 
Sardkooyeh, Fathabad, Motaharabad, Eslam Abad, Arjomandieh and 
Baharestan). Weather conditions in the region are difficult as there is 
heavy snowfall, resulting in a number of road blockades.

National Response

3. The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has not requested 
international assistance. Although the Government has not made a formal 
appeal for assistance, bi-laterals assistance, either in-kind or cash, 
will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

4. The Office of the Natural Disaster Task Force, within the Ministry of 
Interior, has informed that search and rescue operations have ended, 
except in two remote villages, and have stated that additional search 
and rescue teams will not be accepted.

5. National authorities and the IRCS are distributing relief items to 
the affected population. Temporary shelters and tents have been 
provided, however, the IRCS reports that the most urgent needed items 
are additional tents and generators.

UN Country Team / International Response

6. The Office of the Resident Coordinator and OCHA are in direct contact 
with the Director General of the Natural Disaster Task Force, as well as 
the DG of Rescue Operations in the IRCS.

7. The UN Disaster Management Team met on 22 February and have agreed to 
send an inter-agency assessment mission, comprising WHO, UNICEF, UNDP, 
WFP, OCHA and UNFPA, to the affected region. Due to current severe 
weather conditions, the mission will take place on Monday 28 February.

8. UNICEF and WHO have dispatched representatives to the affected areas, 
who are supporting the relief operations of the national authorities. 
WHO field team is currently visiting Zarand, while technical staff are 
providing support for the disease surveillance teams. A medical officer 
from WHO will be in Zarand on 24 February.

9. The Government of Japan has made an in-kind contribution worth USD 
193,000 of tents and blankets to the Iranian authorities.

10. OCHA is in close contact with the UNRC's office in Tehran. This 
situation report, together with further information on other ongoing 
emergencies is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at 
http://www.reliefweb.int.

Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
   Mr. Jamie McGoldrick
     direct Tel. +41-22-917 17 12
   Ms. Afia Ali Blasco
     direct Tel. +41-22-917 11 73

Press contact:
   GVA - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
   NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker,  direct Tel. +1-917-892 16 79

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