This bulletin is being issued for information, and reflects the current situation and details available at this time. The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), has determined that external assistance is not required at this moment, and is therefore not seeking funding or other assistance from donors and the International Movement of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies at this time.

An earthquake with the magnitude of 6.2 on the Richter scale rocked Goharan District, Sardasht, Bandar-e Jask, in Hormozgan province, Iran on 11 May 2013.

05/11/2013 09:19 GMT

by Mohammad Davari

TEHRAN, Iran, May 11, 2013 (AFP) - A strong earthquake of 6.2 magnitude hit southern Iran early on Saturday, the US Geological Survey said, with local media reporting of damaged villages and at least 20 people injured.

The epicentre of the quake was measured at 85 kilometres (52 miles) southeast of the southern town of Minab, located in the Hormuzgan province, at 0208 GMT , the USGS said. It was at a depth of 36.44 km (22.64 miles).

Voluntary Return to Afghanistan

1 – 30 April 2013: In April 2013, a total of 5,445 Afghan refugees voluntarily repatriated to Afghanistan. Of this, 4,211 came from Pakistan, 1,229 from Iran, and 5 from India.

1 January – 30 April 2013: During the first four months of 2013, a total of 10,710 Afghan refugees (averaging 89/day) voluntarily repatriated to Afghanistan. The rate of return so far this year is similar to total returns (11,687) during the same period in 2012.

HIGHLIGHTS

• A 7.8 earthquake hit South-Eastern Iran on 16 April, close to the border with Pakistan. The impact was felt in both countries, with 14 people killed, 73 injured and two missing.

• New and worsening humanitarian crises since 2011 have led to a considerable increase in CERF allocations to the MENA region. The largest recipients have been Pakistan, Syria and Yemen.

Secretary General of the Iranian Red Crescent Society predicated the distribution of 1000 coolers to the Bushehr earthquake affected people

Because of the hot weather in the earthquake affected region of Bushehr, Dr. Mohammad Abbassi, Secretary General of the Iranian Red Crescent Society indicated that the urgent need of the earthquake affected people is the gas air conditioner.

by Nina Skandalaki, Ruth Bücker

Two severe earthquakes with a magnitude of 6 and 6.2 struck the northwest of Iran on August 11th, 2012. According to official figures published by the Red Crescent, 399 villages were affected by the quakes. About 12.000 houses were completely reduced to rubble. 1.800 injured persons had to be treated in hospitals, 12.000 people were given outpatient treatment.

Following the 7.9 magnitude earthquake that hit southeast Iran, near the Pakistan border on Tuesday 16 April, Islamic Relief has dispatched aid and assessors to the affected region of Balochistan, Pakistan.

At least 35 people lost their lives in the earthquake and over 180 people were injured.

After an immediate assessment of the damage, Islamic Relief dispatched 375 family-sized tents and 500 kits that provide a family with essential household and kitchen items, such as pots and pans, cutlery, blankets and mattresses.

Fact Sheet

BUREAU OF DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND LABOR

April 19, 2013