Iran: Bam earthquake Revised Appeal No. 25/03 Operations Update No. 15 - Special Focus on Reconstruction

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In Brief

Appeal No. 25/03; Operations Update no. 15; Period covered: 1 June to 30 June 2004; Appeal coverage : 64.2% (click here to go directly to the Contributions List).

Appeal history:

Preliminary Appeal Launched on 26 December 2003 for CHF 15,409,300 (USD 12,532,585 or EUR 10,146,415) for 6 months for 200,000 benefic iaries.

Revised Appeal launched on 8 January 2004 for CHF 51,913,000 (USD 42,203,365 or EUR 34,194,000) for 6 - 8 months for 210,000 beneficiaries.

Final Report is therefore due on 26 November 2004.

Operational Summary: The people of Bam are demonstrating their resilience as they struggle to rebuild. Shops and businesses have come back to life and a common social life is beginning to reappe ar despite the fact that the city is still covered by mounds of rubble and any official building of infrastructure has yet to get underway.

For the Federation, the transition from emergency relief to recovery and rehabilitation is virtually accomplished. In June, the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) Field Hospital was officially transferred and has become the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) Hospital. Plans are well underway for the construction of the semi-permanent containerized facility, to replace the current tented one and it is expected to be in place by early August.

All water/sanitation (watsan) equipment and all except two Rubb Halls have also been handed over to IRCS, and Federation vehicles are in the process of being returned to the fleet base in Abu Dhabi. Installation of the watsan facilities and reticulation systems at Golestan Camp is 95% complete. The Federation and IRCS are now focusing on reconstruction projects - which particular emphasis on educational facilities and the rehabilitation of Bam Red Crescent Branch facilities.

An innovative collaboration between the IRCS's psychosocial teams and the Public Relations Department, initiated by the Federation's Information Delegate, enabled a group of vulnerable children to benefit from a photography workshop - the results of which will be published in a special book entitled 'With Different Eyes'.

The Federation continues to seek donor support for the IRCS stock replenishment plan, reconstruction projects and specialised Disaster Preparedness / Disaster Response (DP/DR) training projects.

Background

A major earthquake registering 6.5 on the Richter scale devastated Iran's south-eastern city of Bam, Kerman province, at 05:28 (local time) on 26 December 2003. The authorities estimated that more than 26,0001 people were killed, 30,000 injured and up to 75,600 left homeless. About 85 percent of housing and infrastructure was destroyed. The United Nations (UN) estimates that the number of people affected by the loss of economic activity and damage to property and infrastructure is as high as 200,000.

Operational developments

Overall objective: The basic living conditions of some 155,000 people in tent camps and/or pre -fabricated housing are maintained and a strategy, led by IRCS with support from the Fede ration, is prepared to integrate relief operations into longer-term recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction programmes.

Summer temperatures in Bam and its surroundings climbed towards their peak during June, bringing additional hardship to the surviving population which is still struggling to recover from the earthquake of 26 December 2003. Although sandstorms have become less frequent in recent weeks, they still occurred every few days, often destroying tents at the remaining tented accommodation camps and the IRCS field hospital, and frequently disrupting the electricity supply in the city. In spite of these difficult conditions, the people of Bam are showing great resilience as they struggle to rebuild their lives. Shops and businesses have come back to life at crucial road junctions, and vestiges of a common social life - musical performances and the public wrestling contests so popular with the Iranian public - are beginning to appear again as features of city life. Retail trade and the service sector are beginning to recover under the stimulus of resources injected into the economy through the distribution of cash coupons.

The tented accommodation camps which have characterized the city landscape immediately after the disaster are slowly disappearing as the authorities encourage the population to move to the newly-prepared prefabricated housing estates. During the month, significant progress has been made in completing many of these estates and providing them with adequate water and sanitation facilities. By the end of the month, Federation/IRCS teams had nearly completed the installation of the water supply at one major prefabricated camp, while Participating National Societies (PNS) involvement in water and sanitation work at several other camps was ongoing. Meanwhile, many families in Bam have chosen to try to construct prefabricated dwellings on the sites of their former houses, posing a challenge to the authorities in terms of the provision of utilities and sanitation.

The former ERU field hospital, now entirely run and managed by the IRCS, continues to provide crucial medical services to a growing number of patients. While there has been no outbreak of epidemic disease, in spite of the arrival of the year's hottest season, more and more citizens of Bam are using the hospital's facilities - a reflection of the good reputation the hospital now enjoys in the city. In early June, a Federation construction advisor visited Bam and worked with Federation, IRCS staff and the city authorities to prepare detailed technical planning and costing for the new semi-permanent containerized hospital - which will be set up adjacent to the present tented site. Work on this hospital should begin in early July and be completed by the end of the month. The psychological needs of the traumatized population and of IRCS volunteers affected by what they witnessed during the days and weeks immediately after the disaster, are being met by the psycho-social support programme (PSP) run by the IRCS and supported by the Danish and Icelandic Red Cross Societies, as well as a separate programme being set up by the Italian Red Cross.

Federation involvement in relief distribution is now complete, and the IRCS is continuing with a cash distribution programme for affected families and individuals. With the completion of Federation/IRCS watsan activities and the handing over of remaining ERU equipment to the IRCS, the transition from the emergency relief to the recovery and rehabilitation phase of the operation is virtually accomplished. The Federation vehicle fleet in Bam is in the process of being returned to the Federation fleet base at Abu Dhabi, and the number of Federation delegates permanently based in Bam will be down to three by July - a Programme Coordinator, a Health Delegate, and a Construction Delegate, all of whom arrived in mid-June. Meanwhile, the presence of bilateral PNSs fluctuates - as a function of project developments, visa restrictions and leave.

The Federation, in close consultation with IRCS, will now be concentrating most of its energy and resources on reconstruction in the education, health and social welfare sectors, replenishment of stocks and building the capacity of the IRCS to respond even more effectively to future disasters on the scale of that which struck Bam.

Coordination

The reduction in Federation delegate numbers in Bam puts added emphasis on the need for effective coordination with the IRCS, PNSs, the local authorities, UN agencies, and other aid and relief agencies operating in the city and its immediate surroundings.

In Bam, Federation delegates, accompanied by the relevant IRCS personnel, attend sectoral coordination meetings, as well as the weekly and biweekly general meetings of the UN family and the Bam Task Force - the local authority body charged with supervising the aid and rehabilitation effort in Bam. During the month, the Federation's Head of Operations in Bam gave a presentation on the Federation/IRCS programme to a meeting of all Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) active in the Bam operation, chaired by the Governor-General of Kerman Province and in the presence of the Chairman of the Bam Task Force and the newly-appointed Governor of Bam city. While the Federation /IRCS ran the largest relief operation in Bam, it now also constitutes the largest recovery and rehabilitation programme - thereby necessitating close contact with all of the local authorities² to ensure efficient use of resources. To add impetus to the process, the Federation's Head of Delegation in Iran, along with the Head of IRCS International Affairs Department (or his Deputy) travel to Bam on a weekly basis to meet with the relevant officials, as necessary. As a result, the Chairman of the Bam Task Force has provided his personal assurance that land allocation for Federation / IRCS projects would be confirmed within 24-48 hours of any formal request.

In Tehran, coordination with the growing number of bilateral PNS programmes continues regularly through the medium of a bi-weekly meeting. An overall Service Agreement has been discussed and is currently being finalised. The IRCS, as the host National Society (NS), will play a leading role in providing services to bi-lateral PNSs, with the Federation taking on a coordination and back-up role. With regard to reconstruction projects, many PNSs are experiencing difficulties in their relations with governmental authorities - in particular the on-going issue of obtaining 'firm' land allocation and building permissions. The South Korean Red Cross has now put its planned construction of prefabricated units on hold, after numerous shifts in potential site allocation. The Swiss, German and Italian Red Cross are all also still awaiting confirmation of land and permits prior to beginning project plans and construction. A representative of the Netherlands Red Cross arrived in Iran on a six-week mission to identify possible future projects with IRCS and oversee a one-off distribution of clothing items for children in Bam.

IRCS held its General Assembly during June, attended by the Federation and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). While the results of the selection of a President are still pending, the Federation has held regular meetings with the current President. A letter from Federation's Secretary General to the IRCS President formed the basis of thorough discussions focusing on the joint reconstruction plan, coordination of bi-lateral activities in Iran, as well as the legal / technical matters of a Legal Status Agreement and on-going visa restrictions.

Progress was noted with regard to the issuing and renewal of visas by the Iranian authorities. During the month, more than ten visas were obtained successfully - thanks to the efforts of IRCS and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Federation's behalf. This is in contrast to a number of NGOs in Bam who are experiencing increasing difficulties in renewing expatriate visas - thereby affecting the completion of their projects.

Red Cross and Red Crescent action - objectives, progress, impact

Emergency relief (food and non-food items)

Objective: Basic food and non-food item needs of 155,000 most vulnerable beneficiaries are met, enabling them to start rebuilding their future.

Progress/Achievements:

- Completion of relief distribution to 155,000 most vulnerable beneficiaries and return to local cash-based economic activity.

The relief phase of the Bam Operation was completed in early May. Efforts are now focusing on the replenishment of IRCS stocks, final hand-over of operations, and reconstruction projects.

The French Red Cross completed its targeted distribution of 2,200 agricultural tool kits to farmers in Bam and the surrounding area, in collaboration with the Iranian Ministry of Agriculture and the IRCS relief network. In addition, the Netherlands Red Cross is planning a special distribution of clothing for children aged 2-9 years.

IRCS cash coupon distribution to the earthquake-affected families continued during June, and will be on-going until the authorities decide otherwise. A summary of distribution to beneficiaries for April / May is presented in Annex 2.

Final relief distribution figures, as supplied by IRCS and compiled by the Federation, appeared in Operations Update 13 (For details, please see the website at http://www.ifrc.org/cgi/pdf_appeals.pl?03/250313.pdf ).

- Continuous support on relief, logistics and procurement provided to IRCS.

The Federation Logistics and Warehousing Delegates successfully cleared all remaining relief items in the pipeline and ensured their proper transfer to IRCS warehousing facilities. Special forensic investigations led to the successful identification and receipt of Irish Red Cross blankets, Belgian Red Cross kitchen sets and Maltese Red Cross blankets.

Efforts in June focused on obtaining the necessary authorizations for the return of Federation vehicles to Abu Dhabi. Customs clearances were finalized and two convoys (of 7 and 9 vehicles respectively) were organized for transportation of the vehicles to the Port of Bandar Abbas and from there, shipping arrangements made for delivery of the vehicles to the Federation Abu Dhabi Fleet Base. The final lot of 6 vehicles is scheduled to be taken to Bandar Abbas on 6 July for onward shipping.

In parallel, procurement and registration of three vehicles to cover basic delegate needs in Bam got underway and is expected to be finalized by early July.

All except two of the remaining Rubb Halls were taken down and transferred to IRCS for shipment to their Tehran warehousing facilities. The final transfer of ERU watsan equipment to IRCS was organized (from Spanish, Swedish, French and Austrian Red Cross ERUs). Arrangements were undertaken for shipping of the DEMA camp by early July. One final container is to remain in situ, for use as storage for tools, watsan and fleet spare parts - and will be donated to IRCS.

On-going support is being offered to IRCS for the replenishment and procurement of Disaster Preparedness (DP) stock. Further to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of 30 May 2004, the Federation Logistics Delegate is working in close cooperation with IRCS in order to clarify priority needs for replenishment, based on depleted stocks and available funds.

Health, Water and Sanitation

Objective: The population in Bam has adequate access to health care, water and sanitation services before the restoration of permanent health, water and sanitation infrastructure and facilities.

Objective (Health): People in Bam receive sufficient health services including psychological support.

There is yet no significant evidence of any major public reconstruction work in progress in the city of Bam. The rehabilitation of the city's health infrastructure is not yet taking place, with the exception of repair work to a former 70 bed private hospital. The provision of health services through the IRCS referral hospital and the 4 Basic Health Care Units (BCHUs) therefore continues to be of the utmost necessity for the people of Bam.

The overall health situation within the disaster zone remains stable and any minor variants within the disease pattern are within seasonal norms.

An Italian Red Cross bi-lateral psycho-social assistance programme was initiated during June.

Progress/Achievements:

Gaps in the health system between the emergency and the long -term solutions are bridged through the field hospital and Basic Health Centre (BHC) ERUs

IRCS Referral Hospital:

The hospital continues to deliver vital services to the people of Bam. These include emergency medical care and surgery, maternity and child care, internal medicine and primary health care services through the out-patient department. Staffing levels within this reporting period have been constant and sufficient, with the exception of the orthopaedic section in which there has been an ongoing problem to obtain a full time specialist. The ambulance service continues to provide a well organized transfer service to Kerman hospital for those patients requiring advanced services. During this reporting period, the majority of these transfers (90%) were patients suffering acute physical trauma following road traffic accidents.

The Norwegian Red Cross/Finnish Red Cross team carried out a small "patient satisfaction" survey covering 50 patients from the various sectors of the hospital. In general the results were positive, with 80% of respondents claiming complete satisfaction on all counts.

A personnel reorganisation exercise is currently underway that will affect hospital staff at all levels. This should make for more efficient usage of both human and monetary resources.

All agreements with concerned parties have been completed for the construction of the containerized hospital. The MoU between the Federation and the IRCS was signed on 20 June and the contract with the building contractor on 21 June 2004. According to the contract, the containers are to be in situ and operational within 31 days.

IRCS Basic Health Centres

The clinics operated by IRCS health teams maintained their provision of basic medical care and MCH services to the population of four residential areas of the city. As the population shifts to the newly constructed prefabricated settlement camps, it has become necessary to re-site some of the clinics in order to meet the needs of the people and maximize utilization of facilities. One clinic, previously sited at Tabrizi School, relocated to Vahdat camp on 21 June. The clinic will cover the 400 households of the camp, as well as inhabitants of two adjacent camps of similar size. Discussions are ongoing between the IRCS and the Ministry of Health (MoH) as to the relocation of at least one further clinic - however this process is moving slow.

- ERU health facilities and equipment handed over to the IRCS by the end of April 2004

Hand-over of the ERU Field Hospital to the IRCS has officially been completed and from now on the hospital is known as the IRCS Hospital in Bam. Norwegian and Finnish Red Cross signed the final MoU in June. Furthermore, inventory lists were checked together with the Hospital Manager and his staff, and signed over on 8 June 2004.

The hospital has been running smoothly and consistently over the month, without any interference from the Finnish Red Cross/Norwegian Red Cross team. Salaries are now up-to-date and although staff work contracts have expired, this does not seem to have created any problems to date. A new OT technician has been hired by the IRCS Hospital and has begun responding to the high demand for circumcisions. The hospital maintenance team has been finalising work on a wooden house on the hospital grounds -originally erected by Norwegian Red Cross but never completed - to function as a new OT. Electricity has now been connected and the premises will be used on a permanent basis by the IRCS Hospital according to its requirements.

The Finnish Red Cross/Norwegian Red Cross team focused on instigating better statistical systems for daily medical activities. Although there was initially resistance to this, training has proved successful and new forms are now being used, with more accurate numbers being recorded. It is worth noting that 32% of Out Patients Department (OPD) patient charts had no diagnosis attached - although most patients received medication.

Activities of the Finnish Red Cross/Norwegian Red Cross team are winding down. Two of the three team members left at the end of June and the third is scheduled to leave in early July - with the Federation's Health Delegate to take over the monitoring and follow-up activities with the IRCS Hospital in their absence. The plan is for team members to return for short periods at the end of July and August, in order to finish monitoring activities and compile the final report by early September, as per the MoU and phase-in plan.

- The suffering and risks for development of severe trauma of 20,000 quake survivors are reduced.

The Psycho- Social Support programme (PSP) activities identified for the Danish/Icelandic PSP continue to be offered, in addition to on-going outreach counselling and tent-to-tent visits. Furthermore, a unique collaboration between the IRCS's PSP programme and its media department - initiated by the Federation's Information Delegate - involving a photography workshop and the publication of a special commemorative book entitled 'With Different Eyes', took place during June.

In addition, the Italian Red Cross began a programme of psycho-social activities aimed at referrals requiring medium-term treatment. Two specialised office containers, equip ped for psycho-social activities, have been set up within the IRCS Hospital compound and the selection of psychologists and psychiatrists for the programme undertaken. The Italian Red Cross is also aiming to construct a semi-permanent psycho-social centre in Bam. Land has now been identified and the necessary permits are currently being sought from the local authorities, with plans being developed in association with the IRCS's Construction Department.

Objective (water and sanitation): Outbreak of water-borne epidemics is prevented in Bam and its surroundings through the installation of adequate and safe water supply and sanitation facilities.

Progress/Achievements:

- 7,500 people in one selected prefabricated camp have sufficient hygiene units and increased hygiene knowledge (ECHO: French/ Spanish / Swedish Red Cross)

Following the signing of MoUs between the French/Spanish/Swedish Red Cross with the IRCS respectively, for the construction of 1,500 hygiene facilities (shower/latrine/washtub) in Rashestan camp, a contract was signed with a Tehran-based company for the production and installation of all units. By the end of June, 300 of these had been completed and were awaiting shipment to Bam.

- ERU watsan equipment handed over and IRCS personnel well trained to maintain, install and operate it.

Two IRCS technicians continued operating the treatment plants at the IRCS field hospital and the Khomeini Hospital. During the month, the daily production of specialised water in the IRCS Hospital increased to 80 cubic metres per day. The IRCS conducted regular chlorine tests and chlorine levels were always reported as being satisfactory.

The Kerman Branch of IRCS received two Spanish treatment plants from Spanish NGOs. The Branch wishes to develop its own watsan ERU capacity and is planning to train volunteers to be able to respond to watsan requirements during a crisis. With this in mind, some of the equipment left in Bam was shipped to Kerman - with the rest of the remaining watsan ERU equipment transferred to a central warehouse in Tehran, ready for future deployment.

The French Red Cross purchased a water tanker for Kerman Branch, which will begin distribution of water in Bam in July.

- 20,000 people from Bam are assisted with water supply in tented camps and prefabricated camps (Federation and French / Spanish / Swedish / Swiss Red Cross)

In terms of general water supply for Bam, the government started work on the new water mains pipe, to ensure that enough water at adequate pressure is available for the prefab camps, which are mostly on the outskirts of town. The design of the pipeline has been based on a population figure of 60 000, with a current average daily consumption of about 100 litres per person / per day.

Discussions are continuing with regards to water quality. Although the Ministry of Health acknowledges that there is no contamination of the piped network so far, they continue to advise people not to drink piped water, due to the potential risk of future contamination.

The Federation and PNSs continued to concentrate their efforts on the reticulation systems in the prefabricated camps. Although 95% complete, the Federation has had to delay the finalisation of the third batch of water connections in Golestan Camp, due to unforeseen problems with very hard clay soil, which has made trenching virtually impossible. Nevertheless, it is anticipated that the final 92 units - which are currently being connected - should be completed by early July.

The French Red Cross (supported by Swiss Red Cross) is pursuing its activities for the water supply in Rashestan Camp. Planning for the 2,130 units has reached the final stages and a Call for Tender will be undertaken shortly. Furthermore, an MoU was signed with IRCS on 5 June for the up-grading of three 'qhanats' (underground water canals), with implementation to be undertaken by IRCS and French Red Cross assuming a monitoring role.

The Swiss Red Cross had to cancel its planned implementation of the reticulation system for Wahdad Camp, due to the fact that the planned prefabricated housing was never built and as a result, the water system became unnecessary. On the other hand, the reticulation system for Sina Camp is well underway and is expected to be completed by early July - with 400 units connected.

Rehabilitation and Reconstruction

Objective: In close cooperation with the IRCS and the Iranian authorities to define the scope of activities which will contribute to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the health and social infrastructure in Bam.

The scale of reconstruction of the socio-economic infrastructure required and the extent to which this presents a major challenge for all concerned cannot be overestimated.

During June, the Federation and IRCS refined the list of priority reconstruction projects for which they are seeking multilateral donor support. A Federation Construction Delegate arrived in early July and is concentrating on ensuring rapid installation of the containerised hospital, as well as on developing detailed project plans and budgets for priority reconstruction projects - to be made available to donors in July.

A Special Operations Update focusing specifically on Reconstruction has been prepared and is available on the Federation web site. (For details, please see http://www.ifrc.org/cgi/pdf_appeals.pl?03/250314.pdf ).

Progress/Achievements:

A certain number of health reconstruction projects have been taken up on a bi-lateral basis by the French Red Cross, German Red Cross, Italian Red Cross and Swiss Red Cross. In addition, other humanitarian organisations, as well as the Iranian Government, have committed to a number of rehabilitation projects in the health sector. Reconstruction needs in the health sector are considered to be relatively well covered - although it must be noted that no building has actually begun and many contractual hurdles remain before projects can proceed.

Federation involvement in the health sector is therefore concentrating primarily on the installation of the containerised hospital, to replace the ERU field hospital (handed-over to IRCS since the end of May) - which continues to operate out of tented facilities that are considered to be insufficie nt for withstanding the rigorous climate in the medium to longer term. A MoU between the Federation and the IRCS was signed on 20 June and contracts between Geneva Secretariat and the building contractor were signed on 21 June. A first monitoring of the contractor's work took place on 28 June and more detailed specifications are being developed. Furthermore, three IRCS engineers travelled to Bam to begin planning of the necessary water supply and sewage. It is anticipated that the new facilities should be in place and operational by August. Funding is still being sought.

Based on the latest available information from the field, the greatest un-met needs are for educational facilities. According to the Ministry of Education in Kerman Province, all 131 schools in Bam and the surrounding villages were destroyed or damaged (to the extent of being unusable) by the earthquake. Officials estimate that 18,000 to 20,000 students are in need of school facilities and teachers. Other than expressions of interest from the German Red Cross and Spanish Red Cross for the reconstruction of 2 secondary and 2 primary schools respectively, in the context of the joint IRCS/Federation Plan, there have been few commitments for reconstruction in this area. Local authorities have repeatedly stressed the urgent need for schools, given the impact on education and on the longer-term future for the already traumatised children of Bam. This is where IRCS has decided to focus its efforts and for which the Federation is seeking donor support.

The Iranian Red Crescent also has a number of buildings in and around Bam that were either destroyed or damaged in the earthquake. Some of these buildings can be repaired, although most will require reconstruction. These were focal points for overall IRCS Bam Branch operations, youth activities as well as relief and rescue efforts in and around the city. The German Red Cross has committed to the reconstruction of the Bam Branch Office, the recreation complex, as well as in repairing the existing warehouse and the construction of two new warehouses. Remaining priority projects include the construction of roadside relief and rescues centres (6), relief depots (3) and the Bam Chapter Relief Base (1). There remains scope for multilateral involvement to ensure that IRCS capacities in Bam are sufficient to meet current and future needs in this disaster-prone area.

Disaster Preparedness and Capacity Building

Objective: The IRCS capacity in disaster management (disaster preparedness and disaster response) has been strengthened at the national, regional, and community levels.

Progress/Achievements:

- IRCS disaster preparedness capacity strengthened at national, regional and branch level.

A Federation Disaster Management Delegate is scheduled to arrive in mid-July to work with IRCS on strengthening its capacity in this area.

- IRCS capacity to manage and deploy hospital, watsan and BHC ERUs used at the Bam earthquake operation established. (Please see health and watsan sections).

- IRCS Bam Branch Office reconstructed and its disaster management capacity restored.

The Bam Branch was severely affected by the earthquake and has put forward a number of reconstruction projects (Please see the section on Reconstruction).

- IRCS communications capacity upgraded in terms of training and equipment.

No new developments.

Communications - Advocacy and Public Information

Objective: The ongoing and long-term needs of the quake-affected population in Bam are advocated for through enhanced media coverage and profile of the Red Cross/Red Crescent intervention.

Progress/Achievements:

- Donor interest in the long-term needs has been sustained and visibility and profile for Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies increased.

- Cooperation and collaboration on media activities strengthened between IRCS and Federation.

The joint PSP/information photo-project, entitled "With different eyes", was undertaken with 55 vulnerable children in Bam. A photography workshop was carried out and the children were then provided with disposable cameras, to enable them to take pictures of 'their' Bam. A selection of photos produced by the children, IRCS photographers and the Federation's Information Delegate has been made and is currently being finalised for publication in a special book. These will also form the basis of a photo exhibition. Five digital cameras were presented to the programme, so that the children could carry on with their own projects.

In addition, the Information Delegate continued with the preparation of a special Bam photo exhibition in cooperation with the German Embassy, which will take place in Tehran on 24 July.

New web-stories were published on both the Federation and IRCS web-sites, focusing on Bam as well as on the recent earthquake in northern Iran. The Information Delegate also met with his counterpart from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and undertook three field trips to Bam - including the production of audio-visual footage for Icelandic television, as well as the coordination for four 'ZDF'-produced documentaries.

A 2nd Bam poster, bearing the slogan 'The Future in Hand', is being planned and the lay-out is underway. This will be accompanied by a revised special booklet, to follow-up on the popular 'Bam is Still Alive' publication.

On-going cooperation with the National Society has continued, with meetings held on a daily basis due to the number of joint projects underway.

Monitoring and Evaluation

The report of the operations review jointly undertaken by the Federation and the IRCS at the end of February on the emergency response phase of the operation was finalized. The report is now available on the Federation web-site. A final operations review is expected to take place towards the end of 2004.

ANNEX 1

ERU Field Hospital Admissions - 2004

Abbreviations: OPD: Out patients Department / Adm: Admissions / Disch: Discharged / Opr incl c/s: Operations including ceasarians / C/S: ceasarians Trans.: Transfers

ANNEX 2

IRCS Cash Coupon Distribution Summary of Distribution³

Phases 1 and 2 April-May 2004

The IRCS maintains a website (www.rcs.ir) both in English and Farsi which also provides the latest information, operational updates, reports, interviews and news on the Bam operation to the public.

Footnote:

¹ At the end of March, Iran's official statistics centre announced the final and definite death toll as 26,271. The discrepancy with initial official estimates of up to 43,200 people killed is claimed to be mainly due to the double counting of bodies during the chaos caused by the disaster.

² At present, this includes the Bam Task Force, the newly-appointed Governor of Bam as well as the Mayor and Council of Bam city - all of whom are currently involved in the reconstruction process and related issues of land allocation / building permits etc.

³ Based on figures supplied by IRCS

⁴ Exchange rate is approximately 8700 Iranian Rials to 1 USD.

For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:

Mehrdad Eshraghi, Acting Director General of International Affairs Department, Iranian Red Crescent Society, Tehran; email: intdep@rcs.ir; mobile: 98. 912 384 7050; phone: 98.21.8849 077/8808 155; fax: 98.21.884 9079

Mohammed Mukheir, Head of Delegation, Tehran; email: ifrcir05@ifrc.org; mobile: 98.912 314 4250; phone: 98.21.8890 567/8911 271; fax: 98.21.889 5346

Evgeni Parfenov, Regional Desk Officer, Geneva; email: evgeni.parfenov@ifrc.org; phone: + 41 22 730 4325; fax:+ 41 22 733 0395

All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable. For support to or for further information concerning Federation programmes or operations in this or other countries, or for a full description of the national society profile, please access the Federation's website at http://www.ifrc.org