OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Islamic Republic of Iran - Earthquake
31 March 2006


This report is based on information provided by the Office for the 
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Liaison Office and the Office of 
the UN Resident Coordinator in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.

I. SITUATION

1. A series of earthquakes, measuring between 2.8 to 6.0 on the Richter 
scale, followed by several aftershocks, struck Lorestan province in West 
Iran during the night of Thursday 30 March to early morning of Friday 31 
March. According to national authorities, some 66 persons are confirmed 
dead, while 1200 persons are injured. The number of affected persons is 
expected to rise.

2. The main cities affected are Boroujerd and Dorud; however, provincial 
authorities estimate that there are more than 200 villages between the 
two cities, which have suffered substantial damage. According to the 
provincial head of the Disaster Management Committee, a number of 
villages were completely destroyed, with some villages suffering between 
30-100% damage.

3. The population in Lorestan province is higher than usual as a number 
of Iranians are currently traveling in celebration of Nowruz and other 
religious holidays.

II. NATIONAL RESPONSE

4. The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has not requested 
international assistance.

5. The Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have 
dispatched a team of experts to the affected area. The Government has 
also mobilized military components to aid in search and rescue 
operations and emergency response needs.

6. The Iranian Red Crescent Society is working in the affected areas and 
has begun with the distribution of relief aid. According to provincial 
authorities, the most urgent needs include blankets, tents, heaters 
medical and food supplies.

III. INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

7. Under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator, the UN Disaster 
Management Team held an emergency meeting today. A joint Rapid 
Assessment Team, comprising representatives of UNICEF, WHO and UNDP, 
will depart from Tehran to Boroujerd on 1 April. The team will be 
assessing the damage caused and will inform the UN Country Team whether 
further assistance is required from the United Nations. A second meeting 
of the UNDMT will be held on 1 April.

8. OCHA is in close contact with the UN Resident Coordinator and the 
OCHA Liaison Office in Tehran, and will revert with further information 
when available.

9. This situation report, together with further information on other 
ongoing emergencies is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at 
http://www.reliefweb.int.


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

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

Desk Officer:
  Ms. Afia Ali Blasco / Mr. Alfred Nabeta
    Direct Tel. +41-22-917 1173/2732

Press contact:
  GVA - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
  NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, direct Tel. +1-917 367 5126

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