The Iranian Earthquake BAM, December 26, 2003 Global Disaster Information Network is sad to report that a magnitude 6.7 quake devastated the historic town of Bam in Iran at 5:28 am Friday, local time. More than half the city's houses were destroyed, as well as its historic 2,000 year old mud-brick fortress, an important tourist attraction. A preliminary estimate said the death toll has probably reached 10,000, one out 8 residents; but many more might die, since most of the population was in bed at the time. Local reports indicate 60 percent of the houses were destroyed and water, power and phone lines were cut. "The historic quarter of the city has been completely destroyed and caused great human loss," said Mehran Nourbakhsh, chief spokesman for Iran's Red Crescent, the Islamic equivalent of the Red Cross.

Picture from http://mirror.iranemdad.com/photos.php and http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20031229/capt.mosb11412291520.iran_earthquake_mosb114.jpg 31 December 2003 | GENEVA -- The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the urgent health needs of the tens of thousands of people affected by the recent earthquake in Bam, Islamic Republic of Iran. The health risks of exposure to cold night temperatures, inadequate access to safe water and sanitation, and insufficient care for people's injuries are amongst the many serious health concerns. Sourse: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/releases/2003/pr95/en/

Picture of Ali Ardalan Team, Tehran, Iran 31 December 2003 | GENEVA -- The World Health Organization (WHO) . To date, at least 26, 700 people have been buried as a result of the Bam earthquake. Approximately 30,000 are injured, and more than 12,000 of these people have been admitted to hospitals in other parts of the country. In total, the earthquake destroyed approximately 20,000 homes of the 90,000 inhabitants. Sourse: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/releases/2003/pr95/en/

Picture from http://mirror.iranemdad.com/photos.php?page=3 and http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20031229/capt.xkj10112291215.iran_earthquake_xkj101.jpg Fairfax, Virginia dispatches search and rescue teams to Iran in response to call for help. USA joins many others countries that are also responding with help. Ban's infrastructure is devastated and survivors are without power and water and forced to camp outside in freezing weather. Estimates of injuries and deaths are increasing as collapsed houses and buildings are being searched for survivors. Middle East Seismology Forum website www.meseisforum.net Or through the direct link http://comanche.thmedia.net/~salsnawi/forum/viewtopic.php?t=308&sid=197fcfa52d5fc26891fa2553cb43561e

31 December 2003 | GENEVA -- The World Health Organization (WHO) . Pictire from http://www.earthquakenews.com/ (photo: Getty Images) Express India 31 December 2003 | GENEVA -- The World Health Organization (WHO) . The physical structures of the main hospitals in Bam, and several urban and rural health clinics, have also collapsed. Many medical staff and other health workers have been injured or killed. With the immediate response and the coordination efforts of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, the Red Crescent and other sectors, sufficient manpower and facilities have been dispatched and are now providing preventive and curative health emergency services to all needing it. Sourse: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/releases/2003/pr95/en/

31 December 2003 | GENEVA -- The World Health Organization (WHO). Picture from http://mirror.iranemdad.com/photos.php?page=3 and http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20031229/capt.xkj10412291201.i ran_earthquake_xkj104.jpg 31 December 2003 | GENEVA -- The World Health Organization (WHO). Dr LEE Jong-wook, the Director-General of WHO, in his letter of condolences to the Minister of Health and Medical Education of the Islamic Republic of Iran, said: "The profound tragedy of thousands of people killed has caused emotional and psychological trauma for the tens of thousands of people who have survived. It is now imperative to ensure their mental and physical well-being to the fullest extent possible during this fragile period". Sourse: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/releases/2003/pr95/en/

Picture from http://mirror.iranemdad.com/photos.php?page=3 and http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20031229/i/r227235270.jpg 31 December 2003 | GENEVA -- The World Health Organization (WHO). Dr Hussein A. Gezairy, the Regional Director for the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office, in his condolences message to the President and to the Minister of Health and Medical Education, reaffirmed the commitment of WHO to provide necessary technical and material support to the Islamic Republic of Iran. He said: "The priorities are to take care of the survivors, reduce the negative health impacts of the harsh environmental conditions on them, re-establish systems that keep a look out for communicable diseases and - if they are detected - make sure that they are quickly controlled, and re- start health care services ensuring adequate psychological counselling and care to those who survived the tragedy". Sourse: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/releases/2003/pr95/en/

31 December 2003 | GENEVA -- The World Health Organization (WHO) . …. disaster management do needs more scientific consultations, in here. Otherwise, we will be encountered the consequences of mismanagement such as wastage of resources and psycho-social damages. ... Ali Ardalan, Tehran, Iran (Picture and Personal Communication) 31 December 2003 | GENEVA -- The World Health Organization (WHO) . Preliminary estimates by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education consider that the reconstruction and operationalization of the health system in Bam and its district, which still need an in-depth assessment, will require at least US$25 million. To improve the health conditions of the earthquake survivors, WHO is now appealing for US$3.5 million for immediate use by the Iranian authorities to purchase supplies, rehabilitate health facilities and provide vital public and community health services. Sourse: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/releases/2003/pr95/en/

I wish to provide some research-based information, at least for future disasters. It necessitates the design of a research puzzle that considers differnet management and methodological aspects, too. December 30, 2003 Ali Ardalan, Tehran, Iran Picture and Personal communication 31 December 2003 | GENEVA -- The World Health Organization (WHO) . Since the earthquake on 26 December, WHO has set up a team that is working with the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education and local officials in the affected area. Team members include experts in emergency health care, epidemiology of diseases, information collection and analysis, environmental health, and health service planning. WHO experts are also ready to set up emergency teams to respond to disease outbreaks and contain epidemics. Sourse: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/releases/2003/pr95/en/

Picture of Ali Ardalan Team, Tehran, Iran

http://www.earthquakenews.com/ UN to launch Bam quake aid appeal The UN yesterday(January 6, 2004) said it would launch a multi-million dollar flash appeal this week to help fund reconstruction and relief efforts in the quake-struck city of Bam in southeast Iran. | A UN Office for ... (photo: WN) Gulf Daily News

http://www.earthquakenews.com/ Children in Bam go back to their wrecked schools THE SURVIVORS: Officials estimate that 9,000 pupils and 2,000 teachers died in the devastating quake on Dec. 26, but life has to go on for those who escaped | Children from the quake-devastated southe... (photo: UNHCR file) Taipei Times

Picture from http://mirror.iranemdad.com/photos.php?page=2 and http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20031229/capt.sge.rwd97.291203124251.photo00.default-384x258.jpg We need to examine and understand successful policy and community action where a single hazard was recognized in the presence of imperfect and incomplete knowledge about vulnerability, risk, preparedness and mitigation, but in a societal context where appropriate initiatives were undertaken. What stops a community or a school director to change the swing of a door of a classroom to facilitate evacuation when what is known is only that the community is in a earthquake hazard area? The last mile for a community may pass by a set of three hinges on a classroom door - or by a greenway encompassing a floodplain where no buildings other than those designed to be flooded are allowed. Stephen O. Bender January 6, 2004 Personal communication SBender@oas.org

and join our activity in Public Health and Prevention Please visit us at Supercourse homepage www.pitt.edu/~super1/index.htm and join our activity in Public Health and Prevention Supercourse lectures on eartquakes : Public Health Consequences of Earthquakes Part I. Part II. The Use of Epidemiologic Methods in Disasters Disaster and Hospital Functions Epidemiology of Disasters -part I- -part II- Disasters page at Supercourse.