Earthquake Coverage: Demand for World Vision Tents

Booming populace prompts demand for World Vision tents

World Vision undertook a second distribution of tents in Bam tonight [January 4] as thousands flood back into the city in search of shelter.

World Vision is distributing in District 3 on the outskirts of Bam ? the largest of 12 sections of the city, demarcated by the Red Crescent to facilitate relief operations.

Red Crescent General Director Mehrab Sharifi said many who had fled the city were returning, endeavouring to rebuild their houses and recover their possessions. Red Crescent workers were registering the new arrivals, who were placing additional demands for shelter. So far the Red Crescent had registered 12,000 in district 3 but thousands more new cases were appearing every day.

In addition Mr Sharifi said hundreds more were pouring into district 3 from rural areas in search of assistance and shelter. Although the quake in the countryside was less damaging, countless houses were unsafe to live in and many were dependent on Bam for essential supplies.

"Even though we have distributed so many tents already, it is still one of the key demands," Mr Sharifi said.

75 tents were distributed in district 3 tonight during the hours of darkness to discourage the formation of crowds likely to disrupt the distribution process.

Red Crescent supplied five pick up trucks to do the distribution, which was undertaken by Red Crescent volunteers monitored by World Vision staff.

World Vision relief manager Paul Sitnam said the distribution went smoothly and was well targeted.

"You can see how people are suffering during a night distribution because you see them in the cold." he said.

"The people we are here to serve are being served."

During a visit to World Vision's campsite earlier in the day Mr Sharifi said the next most urgent issue facing people in district 3 was a lack of sanitation. He said although there had yet to be an outbreak of diseases such as cholera, it was highly likely to occur if something was not done quickly.

World Vision programme officer Debs Harris who arrived in Bam today will be tasked with assessing water and sanitation needs with a view to World Vision offering further assistance to the area.

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