By Andrew L. Jaffee, December 26, 2003
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Please Help Victims of Iran Quake
By Andrew L. Jaffee, December 26, 2003 |
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The BBC is now reporting that 20,000 have been killed and 50,000 injured in a massive earthquake that hit Iran today. Some relief agencies and governments have offered to help the victims. There are reports that Iran's Islamist regime has been inept in responding to the tragic quake.
The quake was centered in south-eastern Iran, near the city of Bam. Reports claim that many of the dead were crushed when the buildings in which they were sleeping collapsed.
The Student Movement Coordination Committee for Democracy in Iran (SMCCDI) reported that many Iranians have been angered by the Islamist regime's response to the quake. SMCCDI claims the regime is providing inadequate equipment for rescue operations, that Iran's president has banned medical help from cities neighboring Bam, and that many Iranians fear that foreign aid will be stolen by government officials.
Nonetheless, many countries and relief agencies are offering help to Iran. The U.S., Russia, U.N., the European Union, and Germany have offered and/or are already providing relief in the form of monetary aid and rapid-response rescue units, for example. The International Red Cross (IRC) is starting a campaign to raise approximately $8 million for Iranian quake victims.
You can make donations for Iranian quake victims at the following sites: