American Refugee Committee Plans Emergency Response for Earthquake Survivors in Bam, Iran

American Refugee Committee
Saturday, 3 January 2004

In response to the devastating earthquake in southern Iran, the American Refugee Committee (ARC) is coordinating several significant relief efforts. In the coming weeks, ARC will ship donated medical supplies and non food items to the beleaguered city of Bam, while it works with local resources to meet both short term shelter and long term and reconstruction needs.

"The victims of this disaster are dealing with many of the same problems as the refugees we more typically serve: the need for shelter, clean water, medical care, and trauma counseling," remarked Hugh Parmer, ARC's president. "We know how to meet these needs, but it's critical that we act fast."

"Fortunately, ARC is well known by Iran's various humanitarian and relief agencies," explains Michael McCormick, an attorney with Faegre & Benson and one of ARC's board members. "Our work in Iran in the past has helped us establish many relationships that will help ARC navigate more quickly through the diplomatic requirements. In the end, our goal is to provide the most effective aid programs possible."

Both Parmer and McCormick have traveled in Iran in the past, where they worked to obtain funding to assist Afghan and Iraqi refugees. That familiarity will help them as they prepare to travel to Bam in the near future. Their trip will allow them to assess the needs of Bam's residents and plan for ARC's relief programs.

ARC is relying on private donations for its earthquake relief activities and invites all people who are able to contribute to this effort. Money is urgently needed to pay for transportation of donated medical supplies to Bam, and for procurement of tents, blankets, and other critical supplies for the approximately 70,000 homeless people in the region. To donate, please visit www.archq.org.

For 25 years, the American Refugee Committee has been working to ease the suffering of victims of war around the world. ARC is a nonprofit nonsectarian humanitarian relief organization. Based in Minneapolis, ARC works for the survival, health and well being of refugees and displaced persons caught in the crossfire of warfare, civil violence and other disasters.

For more information, or to contact American Refugee Committee, see their website at: www.archq.org