OCHA Situation Report No. 3
Iran - Earthquake
24 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.  The Geophysics Institute of the University of Tehran has recorded 10 
aftershocks, ranging from 3.7 to 4.8 on the Richter scale, since 
Tuesday's earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale in Zarand, 
Kerman Province (750KM south-east of Tehran). The latest figures 
received from national authorities confirm 490 persons dead and 900 
injured. Government officials in Kerman do not expect the figure to rise 
substantially. A total of 59 villages are affected.

National Response

2.  The severe winter weather conditions continue to cause problems for 
the affected population and are hampering assistance efforts. The 
government reports that water, electricity and telephone lines have been 
completely restored.

3.  National authorities and the IRCS have distributed an estimated 
9,400 tents, 60,000 blankets and sufficient food items to the affected 
population. Some 85 percent of the affected population has been provided 
temporary accommodation.

UN Country Team / International Response

4.  The UN Disaster Management Team is sending a Field Assessment Team 
(FAT) to Zarand and other parts of the earthquake-affected area. 
Following an agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Central 
National Disaster Task Force in the Ministry of Interior, the FAT will 
depart for Kerman, the provincial capital on Saturday 26 February 2005 
to meet local government authorities and undertake field visits.

5.  OCHA, UNFPA and WFP from Teheran will join up with other team 
members from UNICEF, WHO (Kerman) and UNDP (Bam) will join the team in 
Kerman. Prior to the assessment team return to Teheran on Monday, they 
will present preliminary findings to the Kerman authorities.

6.  BBC reported that President Khatami was not calling for aid, but 
would accept it as before referring to the aftermath of the earthquake 
that struck the town of Bam in 2003. Meanwhile Kerman governor General 
has issued a letter requesting the international and charity 
organizations present in the province to assist with 600 temporary class 
rooms, tents, plastic sheets, blankets and 7,000 heating stoves, as well 
as water tankers and temporary latrines for 7,000 affected families.

7.  Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN) have produced a 
report on the impact of the earthquake from Houtkan one of the affected 
villages in south-eastern Kerman Province. This can be found at 
http://www.irinnews.org

8.  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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