Iran: Earthquake [DHA-04: 20-Feb-97]

Iran: Earthquake [DHA-04: 20-Feb-97]



                              United Nations
                    Department of Humanitarian Affairs

                             IRAN - EARTHQUAKE
                     DHA-GENEVA SITUATION REPORT NO. 4
                             20 FEBRUARY 1997



       1. On 4 February 1997 three earthquakes measuring  5.4, 6.1 and
     4.0  on  the Richter scale  rocked Northern Khorasan, and to date
     the area has experienced approx. 500 aftershocks.



       2.  The  UN  Resident  Coordinator  reports  the  following
       information,  released  on  19  February  by  the  National
       Disaster  Task  Force  of the Ministry of Interior, on  the
       loss and damages :

         - 82 dead in Bojnord
         - 6 dead in Shirvan
         - 498 injured and hospitalized
         - 1,450 injured
         - 106 villages damaged in Bojnord
         - 67  villages damaged in Shirvan
         - 11,000 houses damaged
         - 5,500 houses 100 per cent destroyed
         - 12,000 perished livestock
         - 180 km rural roads damaged

       The  physical  damage  is estimated to exceed US Dollars 30
       million.

       3.   The  Ministry  of  Interior  is  responsible   for the
       coordination  of  relief  activities, which are still being
       carried out by relief workers from Government services, the
       Armed  Forces,  the  Red  Crescent  Society  of Iran, other
       relief  agencies  and local communities.  Assistance so far
       provided  by  the RCS and state organizations  includes 11,
       500  tents, 38,700 blankets, 4,150 heaters, 1,800 lanterns,
       50  tons  of plastic sheeting, 14 tons of kerosene, 18 tons
       of detergents and soap, 175 tons of food items, 62,500 tins
       of canned food of  and 6,000 pieces of clothing and shoes.

       4.   The  Government  of  Iran  has  formally  advised  its
       preparedness  to  receive,  and  welcome, any international
       humanitarian  assistance. The preferred assistance could be
       cash  contributions  and/or  dispensary  tents with medical
       equipment, tents and blankets. Assistance may be channelled
       through DHA-Geneva or directly through the UN Office of the
       Resident Coordinator in Iran.

       5. Contributions reported to date:

                                                       US Dollars

       UN SYSTEM

       - DHA	 Local purchase of relief supplies	   40,000
       - UNDP	 Logistical support and coordination      100,000
       - UNICEF  Medical supplies and water/sanitation     50,000
                 equipment.
       - WHO     Medical assistance                        10,000


       GOVERNMENTS

       - Norway    Relief supplies	                   20,000
       - Italy	In-kind donation(tents and blankets)       70,000
              and transport
       - Japan	Bilateral cash grant	                  100,000

       NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER DONORS

       - MSF	 Biscuits, plastic sheeting, jerrycans    160,000
              and dispensary tents) with UNHCR
              logistical support.

       6.  DHA  is  prepared  to  serve  as  a  channel  for  cash
       contributions to be used during the immediate relief phase.
       Funds are spent in coordination with relevant organizations
       of  the  UN system, and DHA provides donor Governments with
       written confirmation on utilization of funds contributed.

       7.  Funds should be transferred to DHA account No: CO. 590.
       160.1 at Swiss Bank Corporation, Case Postale 2770, CH-1211
       Geneva 2, with reference: Iran Earthquake - DHA-Geneva.

       8.  For  coordination  purposes,  donors  are  requested to
       inform  DHA-Geneva, as indicated below, of bilateral relief
       missions/pledges/contributions   and   their  corresponding
       value by item.

       Telephone No. + 41-22-917.12.34
       In case of emergency only: + 41-22-917.20.10
       Desk  Officer:  Mr. G. Andreassen, direct Tel. + 41-22-917.
       32.39
       Press  to  contact: Ms. M. Moulin-Acevedo, direct Tel. +41-
       22-917.28.56
       Telex: 414242 dha ch
       Fax: + 41-22-917.00.23
       E.Mail: dhagva@dha.unicc.org



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