The OPEC Fund for International Development today approved an emergency assistance grant of US$200,000 to help purchase relief supplies for victims of the earthquake that struck Southeast Iran on February 22. Measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale, the quake devastated five cities and some 40 villages in Kerman Province, claiming over 550 lives and leaving more than 1,500 injured and over 7,000 families homeless.
The stricken region is just 150 miles from Bam, site of the December 2003 earthquake that killed 26,000 people and leveled the historic city.
Rescue and relief efforts are being coordinated by the Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRCS), but face difficulties because of bad weather and the mountainous terrain. Thousands of survivors are in urgent need of shelter, blankets, clean water and cooking utensils.
The OPEC Fund's contribution to the aid effort will be used to help procure essential supplies and finance emergency operations undertaken by the IRCS.