The United Nations health agency has appealed for $3.5 million to buy supplies and rehabilitate Iran’s health facilities to prevent further sickness and deaths in the aftermath of the earthquake that struck Bam on December 26, 2003, reported the UN News Service.
To date, at least 20,000 people have died as a result of Friday's quake. Approximately 50,000 were injured, 11,000 of whom have been admitted to hospitals, and an estimated 70,000 were left homeless.
On the ground, the humanitarian response to the earthquake is shifting from search and rescue, emergency medical intervention and evacuation to relief assistance and determination of future needs. As of Tuesday, more than 10 search and rescue teams had left the area, while medical teams are arriving, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
OCHA will launch a UN flash appeal on January 8, to help Iran, addressing relief, recovery and early rehabilitation needs for the next three months. The effort will also prepare the ground for longer-term rehabilitation and development. — (menareport.com)
© 2004 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
