World Vision partners with Iranian NGO

World Vision partners with local NGO to speed distribution of relief

World Vision yesterday morning completed the hand over of tents, soap, plastic sheeting and water containers to Iranian NGO Jari (Help) to disburse to earthquake-hit families in Bam.

World Vision relief director Ton van Zutphen said it was encouraging that local NGOs were approaching World Vision to work in partnership, indicating they had confidence in the organisation.

Jari is part of the Hamiar group ? an association of seven Iranian NGOs working on earthquake relief in Bam.

Jari relief manager Ahmad Taheri said most of the commodities would be delivered in the Arab Khaneh district on the south side of the city.

He said the population of Arab Khaneh had dwindled from about 15,000 to 4,000. Those who remained tended to have lost all their assets in the quake and had no means to move to other locations in Iran.

"They don't feel great but somehow most are managing to cope," he said.

In addition to the commodities supplied by World Vision, Mr Taheri said food and sanitation were also big problems. Hamiar had distributed tins of tuna in the district in an effort to alleviate the situation.

Jari began distributing the World Vision commodities yesterday afternoon. One beneficiary Ali Tajabadi, 63, said 23 members of his family had been forced to live in a tent designed for 16, until World Vision supplied his family with a second tent.

In addition he was supplied with plastic sheeting to cover some of his salvaged possessions and keep them protected from the weather.

He had this message for World Vision donors who had made it all possible.

"Please send this message to all the people in many countries who support World Vision. We are really thankful for your sympathy in this time of need. We send our warm greetings. We will not forget this."

Altogether World Vision supplied Jari with 2,000 blankets, 20 tents, 1,000 collapsible water containers, 1,500 pieces of plastic sheeting and 1,000 pieces of soap.

World Vision New Zealand is accepting donations for the Bam earthquake relief effort on 0800 80 2000, or through the website: http://www.worldvision.org.nz

© Scoop Media