Alabamians are among many relief teams responding to an earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale that killed thousands in the historic city of Bam, Iran, Dec. 26.
The earthquake ravaged Bam’s economy and left the city’s employed destitute. Most of Bam’s survivors have lost their livelihoods through personal injuries, loss of business or the death of a spouse. More than 100,000 people have been left homeless.
With the death toll expected to top 30,000 and with at least 60 percent of the city in rubble, assistance will be needed in Iran for several months.
Southern Baptists from across the nation and Baptist World Aid (BWAid), the relief and development agency of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), are among those meeting physical needs in the area.
Southern Baptists have given $50,000 so far; Alabama Baptists had donated $10,000 at press time.
BWAid worked with Hungarian Baptist Aid (HBAid) to provide financial assistance as well as medical assistance. An initial donation of $5,000 was made; more was expected to be sent.
Four doctors and one nurse with HBAid were immediately flown to the disaster area, while another nurse and HBAid president Sandor Szenczy came later.
A two metric ton shipment of a portable hospital with beds and surgical equipment, IV fluids, antibiotics, painkillers, other medications and immunizations went with the team. Both BWAid and HBAid are exploring the possibility of further shipments being made.
The initial team of Southern Baptist volunteers carried three days of food and water rations and slept in sleeping bags.
“The Southern Baptist response to the earthquake in Bam, Iran, is one of the fastest activations of disaster relief teams to an international disaster in recent history,” said Terry Henderson, disaster relief director for the North American Mission Board (NAMB).
Along with food and water relief, Southern Baptists are also providing medical assistance.
A number of needs have been identified, of which one is possibly building an orphanage. More than 1,200 children were left without any living relative. Other possibilities include constructing a temporary school and earthquake resistant
houses. Local contacts continue to assess needs, and additional projects will be considered.
“There is still much work to be done,” said Henderson.
Currently disaster relief volunteers are distributing goods (sleeping bags, blankets, clothing, etc.), while future disaster relief workers may provide childcare and counseling.
The workers also hope to work with residents of Bam to reconstruct and develop their communities.
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the American Baptist Churches also sent relief funds ($20,000 each) to aid the earthquake victims.
Contributions to relief efforts in Iran can be made through the NAMB at: North American Mission Board, P.O. Box 116543, Atlanta, GA 30368-6543. Please make checks out to the North American Mission Board and designate Iran Earthquake — General Relief on the memo section. Contributions can also be made through Southern Baptists’ world hunger fund by calling 1-800-999-3113 or World Hunger and Relief, P.O. Box 6767, Richmond, VA 23230-0767.
To send money through Baptist World Alliance, mail to: Baptist World Aid, Baptist World Alliance, 405 North Washington Street, Falls Church, VA 22046.
For information on sending money through the Alabama Baptist State Convention, call 1-800-264-1225.
(Compiled from wire services)
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