Iran: Earthquake [DHA-05: 19-Mar-97]
Iran: Earthquake [DHA-05: 19-Mar-97]
United Nations
Department of Humanitarian Affairs
IRAN - EARTHQUAKE ARDEBIL
DHA-GENEVA SITUATION REPORT NO. 5
19 MARCH 1997
Iran updates disaster figures
The Islamic Republic of Iran on 4 March formally appealed
to the international community for assistance to the
victims of the earthquake-devastated Ardebil province.
1. An earthquake of magnitude 5.5 hit the Sarab and
Meshkin region of Ardebil province, 420 km northwest of
Teheran, at 13.01 GMT on Friday 28 February 1997. On Sunday
2 March at 18.40 GMT another earthquake of magnitude 5.1
hit the same area. To date more than 1,000 aftershocks have
been recorded. As of 7 March heavy snowfall and harsh
climatic conditions, with below zero temperatures hit the
disaster area.
2. The UN Resident Coordinator reports that the updated
figures given on casualties/damages by the Iranian
authorities are:
- 965 dead
- 2,600 injured
- 13,200 affected households ( 76,000 persons )
- 127 villages affected
- 12,000 damaged houses ( + 20 per cent destruction rate )
- 8,500 destroyed houses ( 100 per cent destruction rate )
- 160,000 perished livestock
- 600 destroyed classrooms
- 19 destroyed medical centres/health clinics
- 19 destroyed communication centres
- 118 destroyed religious centres
- 35 destroyed public baths
- 60 destroyed public water systems
- 347 km destroyed rural roads.
The total financial damage is estimated at approx. US
dollars 76 millions, of which approx. US dollars 52
millions have been sustained by the non-govermental sector.
3. National response is provided by provincial and
national authorities and the Iranian Red Crescent Society,
which so far have distributed 11,000 tents, 21,800
blankets, 15,300 heaters and large quantities of food
supplies. 9,850 relief workers are working in the region.
The severe climatic conditions are affecting both the
victims living in make-shift tents, and the relief
operation.
4. In spite of the above-mentioned unfavourable
conditions, a UN team visiting the affected area 14 - 15
March considers the relief operation efficient. The team
reported that temporary settlement of the affected
population in tents is finalized and that both an
efficient food distribution system and a medical referral
system are established. The team also noted that there is
conciderable need for reconstruction assistance.
5. The preferred assistance would be cash contributions or
contributions in kind, as mentioned in our Situation Report
no. 3.
A complete and detailed list of items needed is available
with DHA-Geneva, including quantities required, estimated
costs in US Dollars, availability in-country and specific
agencies responsible for the implementation of each
project. Interested donors may consult with DHA-Geneva.
Assistance may be channelled through DHA-Geneva or directly
through the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Iran.
6. The following contributions have been reported to DHA-
Geneva to date:
US DOLLARS
DHA 50,000
UNDP 200,000
UNFPA 50,000
UNHCR (in kind) 50,000
WHO 30,000
UNICEF 30,000
WFP (in-kind) 40,000
Norwegian Govt. (through DHA) 30,000
+ in-kind (DHA,Pisa) 60,000
Danish Govt. 35,000
German Govt. (through German Red Cross/IFRC) 177,500
French Govt. (through DHA) 70,400
Japan Govt. (bilateral) 245,000
United Kingdom Govt. (through DHA) 201,600
Italian Govt, in-kind (DHA,Pisa) 226,000
Republic of Korea (bilateral) 50,000
New Zealand Govt. (through DHA) 34,500
Austria Govt. (through DHA ) 42,400
Swedish Govt. (through Swedish Red Cross/IFRC) 134,000
Syrian Govt. (bilateral) 55mt foodstuff, 20mt medicines +
transport --
US Govt. (through IFRC) 25,000
Vatican (bilateral) 17,000
OPEC Fund (through DHA) 300,000
AMDA (in-kind, bilateral) 855
IFRC has launched an appeal on behalf of the Iranian Red
Crescent Society of US Dollars 6,1 million. To date IFRC
has received contributions in cash and in-kind amounting to
US dollars 1,573,648.
7. It has been agreed that after the relief operation a
joint Government/United Nations team will evaluate the use
of the relief assistance and provide a detailed report to
the donor community.
8. DHA is prepared to serve as a channel for cash
contributions to be utilized during the immediate relief
phase. Funds are spent in coordination with the relevant
organizations of the UN system, and DHA provides donor
Governments with written confirmation on their use.
9. Funds should be transferred to DHA account No. CO-590.
160. at Swiss Bank Corporation, POB 2770, CH-1211 Geneva 2,
with reference: Iran earthquake/Ardebil, DHA-Geneva.
10. For coordination purposes, donors are requested to
inform DHA-Geneva of bilateral pledges, contributions and
other activities, indicating the 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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