CRS responds to Iran disaster

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January 2004

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CRS responds to Iran disaster
December 29, 2003, Baltimore, MD—Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is committing an initial allocation of $100,000 to provide emergency food, medical care and other life saving assistance to victims of the massive earthquake that leveled the Iranian city of Bam, killing as many as 30,000 throughout Kerman province. The aid to families displaced by the 6.7 magnitude quake will be provided through CRS' local and regional partners, who will be assisted by CRS staff.

"In addition to unimaginable sorrow, right now the people in Bam and the surrounding areas are struggling to provide for even their most basic needs, as food, water, medicines, shelter and warmth are all in short supply," said CRS President Ken Hackett.

"We are doing what we can to respond to these needs. We’re also praying for the countless grieving families in this incredibly difficult time."

CRS' efforts will concentrate in Bam, where approximately 70 percent of the ancient city’s mud structures were destroyed when the earthquake struck last Friday morning, leaving tens of thousands homeless. Tents and blankets are in short supply in the city, with near-freezing nighttime temperatures reported.

"As we approach the New Year and reflect on what we can do to better our lives and our world, we should think also about those in need right now in Iran," Hackett said. "So much of what we as an agency are able to accomplish throughout the world depends on our supporters, who have always been generous in times like this."

Catholic Relief Services is marking its 60th year as the official international humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic community. The agency provides assistance to people in 94 countries and territories on the basis of need, not race, creed or nationality.

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