Foreign Aid to Bam Earthquake Victims Disappears
March 15, 2004
Radio Free Europe
Bill Samii
Iranian Red Crescent Society head Ahmad Ali Nurbala said in the 9 March issues of "Iran" and "Hambastegi" newspapers that most of the foreign funds sent to Iran after the December earthquake in the Kerman Province city of Bam never reached the victims, Reuters reported.
Nurbala said the Red Crescent received only $1.9 million in aid, but documents show that more than $11.8 million in aid came from overseas organizations. Nurbala called on the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance and the Foreign Ministry to account for the foreign aid.
Kerman Province Governor-General Mohammad Ali Karimi said on 8 March that international media exaggerated the amount of foreign aid, state radio reported. "The people of the region think that foreign countries have fulfilled their promises, but unfortunately no cash aid was received from foreign countries; and all their offers of assistance did not go beyond words." And on 4 March he said, "Unfortunately by magnifying the amount of financial and material domestic and international aid the media have increased the expectations of the people of this region to such an extent that they believe we can build two towns the size of Bam with this amount," ILNA reported.
Karimi attended a 4 March gathering of about 500 people from Bam and answered their questions about relief operations and the town's reconstruction, ILNA reported. The meeting became a riot after the actions of unidentified hooligans. Karimi explained, "After the mention of the problems and the issue of foreign relief, some malicious group started chanting provocative slogans while riding on their bikes in the streets of Bam and attempted to destroy public properties." He added that police arrested a number of these people.
Ali Shafei resigned as the governor-general of Bam in reaction to this demonstration, "Sharq" newspaper reported on 10 March, according to Reuters. Sources told "Sharq" that Shafei was attacked during the demonstration, and he resented this because he lost his home and family members in the earthquake and because he has put in a lot of effort to help the people since then.
http://www.rferl.org/reports/iran-report/For all of the foreigners who tithed at church, or sent a check to a relief organization, they deserve an answer.
Sounds petty.
It is too late for the victims of Bam. May God help them.