PRESS BRIEFING BY UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS

The international response to the 26 December 2003 earthquake in Bam, Iran, had been one of the biggest responses of human solidarity in recent time, Jan Egeland, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, told correspondents this afternoon at a press briefing following a meeting of donor countries at Headquarters.  Organized by Belgium, Chair of the Humanitarian Liaison Working Group, that meeting had considered the combined Flash Appeal of the United Nations ($31 million) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies ($42 million).

Mr. Egeland said Iran was among the most effective and efficient countries in disaster response in the world.  Between 10,000 and 20,000 medical evacuations had taken place within the first two weeks after the earthquake.  Iranian authorities had cooperated in an exemplary way, among other things, by allowing some 1,700 relief workers from some 40 countries into the country without requiring visas.

Thirty-six countries had sent search and rescue teams, of which 24 had arrived within 48 hours, he said.  However, few people could be rescued, as most had suffocated under the mud and rubble of the ancient town of Bam, which was levelled by the earthquake.  Although a precise figure could not be given, approximately 30,000 people had died, and there were some 30,000 wounded.

The phase of search and rescue was now over, giving way to the intermediate relief, recovery and reconstruction phase, for which the United Nations had launched a Flash Appeal of $31.3 million, covering 90 days, he said.  The appeal came from nine United Nations agencies in order to address food, water, health, shelter and coordination requirements, among other things.  United Nations agencies would plan with the Iranian Government for long-term recovery, which might cost between $700 million to $1 billion.  The response to the earthquake had been one of the most effective responses locally, nationally and internationally ever.  As there were twice as many donor countries (60) as traditionally, with countries from the Gulf being very generous, he urged all donors to coordinate with the United Nations, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, non-governmental organizations and the Iranian Government.

Encho Gospodinov, head of the delegation to the United Nations of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said assistance had been so effective because of the efficiency of the Iranian Red Crescent Society.  Drawing a comparison to disaster relief for the aftermath of the 1988 earthquake in Spika, Armenia, he said there had been better coordination and division of labour.  Psychological support to thousands of families was being provided on a 24-hours-per-day basis.  In launching his Federation’s appeal of  $42 million, he said there would be no waste of resources and no duplication.

Mehdi Danesh-Yazdi, Deputy Permanent Representative of Iran, stressed the cooperation of his Government with the international community in providing help to the severely affected area.  Relief had come quickly from all corners of the world, he said, even though the disaster had taken place the day after Christmas, which might explain some delays.  Thanking relief workers, the United Nations, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, he quoted President Mohammad Khatami who on 26 December had said that “humanity had demonstrated itself”.

Alain Cools, Deputy Permanent Representative of Belgium, said today’s meeting had brought together representatives from an extended group of donor countries (60) that had provided assistance to Iran.  The immediacy of the Flash Appeal covering 90 days had been stressed and pledges had been made.  Lessons learned for future catastrophes had been addressed, as well.  It had been noted, for instance, that as many countries had sent field hospitals, less glamorous things such as toilets were also necessary.

Answering correspondents’ questions, Mr. Egeland said an exact amount of pledges was not available at the moment.  A number of donors had said additional money was “in the pipeline”.  The Gulf Cooperation Council had made the biggest pledges.  However, most of the donations so far had been in personnel and in kind.  Now, cash was needed.  He expected that both appeals (a total of $74 million) would be covered.  Forty countries had sent relief workers.  The number of donor countries had reached 60, of which the United States was an important one, considering a contribution of $5 million.

Mr. Gospodinov added that his Federation’s initial appeal of $12 million had been covered, including $800,000 from United States sources. 

Reacting to a correspondent’s suggestion that Bam would be reconstructed in a different place, Mr. Danesh-Yazdi said Bam was a 2,000-year-old city on the old “Silk-Road”, constructed mostly of mud and brick houses.  It would not have been practical to move people from their traditional houses.  For the future, the Government must adopt construction codes, and people must adhere to them.  An exact number of victims could not be given as many families had completely vanished, and there were still people buried in the rubble.

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