Iran: People of Baravat join to help each other

Since the relief team from Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation arrived in Kerman Province on Dec. 29, the team has been assessing needs in Bam and neighboring Baravat, distributing aid, and providing medical services when needed on a daily basis. For the distribution effort, the team had distributed a total of 1,200 daily necessities packs, 300 blankets, 100 first-aid kits, clothing and meal boxes by January 5, with the help of local volunteers.
At Baravat, many people camped near their ruined homes. Nearly every family suffered a loss from three to as many as eleven members. On January 5, the relief team visited the families, one by one. They saw elderly couples who had lost their children and wide-eyed toddlers who had lost their parents. The lack of clean drinking water and food was causing diarrhea among the children. The team has since worked with other agencies to deliver drinking water and food.

Many local Iranians, regardless of status or wealth, contributed what they could to help each other. Colonel Commander Ismail Zadeh, the military officer accompanying the relief team for security purposes, personally handed out blankets and medical kits along with the volunteers. The Iranian bus driver for the relief team, while not particularly well-to-do himself, donated blankets, food, and other supplies he had with him.

The relief team expressed that despite the great devastation, they also witnessed great warmth among local people. After receiving the aid, a number of aid recipients chased after the relief team to give them thank-you notes or gifts of drinking water and fruits. One middle-aged woman was very persistent in trying to give her only bag of oranges to the volunteers. The sincerity of the quake survivors moved the team members to tears.

On January 6, Tzu Chi's relief team went to an area where interception and robbery of relief supplies had been reported. As the people in this area still were in need of relief supplies, the team decided to go forward with the distribution. A military doctor, a local religious leader, and local volunteers accompanied the team. Together, they organized the blankets, clothing, and other relief materials and then personally handed out the supplies to each family. The distribution took place smoothly, orderly, and without incident.

Although the relief team saw scenes of devastation and suffering, they also witnessed the warmth and genuine care between fellow human beings. Tzu Chi members, therefore, believe that when there is an exchange of mutual trust and respect, even in the worst of times, one can still see the best in humanity.