 |
|
Thousands of Bam residents spend their nights in the open
|
WASHINGTON,
December 30 (IslamOnline.net) - America's largest Muslim advocacy
group has distributed an electronic newsletter listing various Muslim
aid organizations to help in aid relief for the quake-devastated
southeastern Iranian city of Bam, saying that offering a helping hand
is just a click away.
The
Washington-based Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) urged
people with conscience in the four corners of the world to immediately
offer assistance to the survivors of the killer quake, which killed
tens of thousands in Bam and leveled 70 per cent of the ancient
Iranian city.
"We
are deeply saddened by the news of the tragic earthquake in
Iran," says CAIR chairperson Omar Ahmad in a statement on its
website.
"We
extend our sincerest condolences to the families of those killed and
pray for the speedy recovery of those injured in the earthquake. CAIR
is working on identifying relief organizations that will provide aid
to the affected areas," added Ahmad.
The
tremor struck
the Kerman region before dawn Friday, December 26, and was measured
6.3 on the Richter scale, leaving thousands others homeless.
Bam
residents are in a dire need of blankets to fight off the winter cold,
tents as makeshift housing, hygiene kits, cooking facilities and other
basic necessities.
Chief
among the relief organizations that accept online donations are the
U.K.-based Islamic Relief organization, which welcomes donations via
its website www.irw.org
.
The
Muslim charity later plans to focus on housing, community and public
building reconstruction.
Other
organizations listed by CAIR are the Los Angeles-based Iranian Muslim
Association of North America accessible via www.iman.org
.
Iranian
locals have also been encouraged to contact their domestic Red
Crescent organization via www.rcs.ir
.
The
Life for Relief and Development
(LIFE) is also mobilizing to send emergency relief to the victims. It
plans to send 7 tons of food and 1.5 tons of clothing in a matter of
days.
A
LIFE team has been dispatched to assist in relief efforts on the
ground, and will coordinate efforts with the United Nations Disaster
Management Team and the International Red Crescent Society.
Meanwhile,
a South African relief aid organization called Gift
of the Givers has launched its Iran Earthquake Emergency
Fund. Its national coordinator, Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman, said they sent
tents, blankets, medicines, bottled water and food to Iran.
"Pledges
are coming in from throughout South Africa, amazingly from people who
are mostly on holiday. People interested in supporting the relief
effort can make a donation into our bank account," says Sooliman.
He
said that two thousand blankets have been collected so far, adding
that further contributions would continue in the days and weeks to
come.
The
effort is backed by the South African departments of foreign affairs
and health.
Dozens
of planes had arrived in Bam airport carrying
aid relief for the disaster-stricken city over the past
few days to help in the aftermath of the shattering quake.
