Irish Red Cross to tour Iran earthquake zone

Consisting of Secretary General, Carmel Dunne and Honorary Secretary, Sheila Callan, the Irish Red Cross delegation leaves Dublin tomorrow night (Saturday).

On Monday a donor meeting of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies from all over the world will take place in Teheran, hosted by the Iranian Red Crescent Society and supported by the international umbrella body; the International Federation of Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Bam will be visited on Tuesday by the Irish Red Cross delegation, which will tour what remains of the city and visit the IFRC Field Hospital.

With the destruction of Bam's three hospitals and the deaths of many local doctors and nurses, this now provides all care to a population of approximately a quarter of a million; It has seen the recovery of a 97-year-old woman who was dug-out of the rubble ten days after the earthquake, the birth of the first baby since the earthquake as well as the death of a baby boy from leukaemia.

Apart from the hospital and the need to cater for people's physical needs through the provision of tents, blankets, food, and water, there is also a growing need to care for a hugely psychologically traumatized population. An estimated 15,000 people in Bam are in need of psychological care because of the earthquake.

Experience from the Turkish earthquake (1999) shows that the sense of shock at seeing the earth itself move and what appear to be solid buildings, disappear in the space of a second, can leave a long-lasting sense of anxiety and lack of belief in anything.

The Irish Red Cross has already sent 6,500 Foxford blankets to Bam and is seeking support from the public to pay for kitchen sets, hygiene sets and tarpaulins. Donations can be made online at www.redcross.ie or by CallSave 1850 50 70 70 or by cheque or postal order to the Irish Red Cross Iran Appeal, 16 Merrion Square, Dublin 2.

Ends.