wfn.org | IOCC RESPONDING TO ASSIST IRAN EARTHQUAKE VICTIMs

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
ARCHDIOCESE LISTSERVER

Latest news online at:
http://www.goarch.org/en/news/

====================================

SCOBA
The Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas
8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 30, 2003

IOCC RESPONDING TO ASSIST IRAN EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

Baltimore - International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is responding
to the devastating Dec. 26 earthquake in southeast Iran with emergency
relief and reconstruction assistance for victims of the disaster.  Current
estimates are that the 6.6-magnitude earthquake killed more than 25,000
people in Bam, Iran, burying them beneath the rubble of their mud brick
homes. An estimated 100,000 people were left homeless and more than 10,000
people were injured by the earthquake, the worst to hit Iran since 1990.

IOCC, the humanitarian aid agency of Orthodox Christians, has authorized
the procurement of relief aid such as blankets, stoves, tents, food and
fresh water to help meet the urgent needs of survivors in and around the
city of Bam.  "It is critical that these people have shelter from the cold
and other basic necessities in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake,"
said IOCC Executive Director Constantine M. Triantafilou. "Their survival
depends on it."

IOCC is partnering with other church-based humanitarian aid organizations,
including Church World Service and Action by Churches Together, in its
earthquake response.  In addition to the immediate needs, IOCC is assessing
the need for long-term reconstruction and development assistance on the
part of earthquake survivors.

Previously, IOCC has responded to earthquakes in Turkey and Greece. In the
Middle East, IOCC also has programs in Lebanon, Iraq and the West Bank.  To
contribute to IOCC's earthquake relief effort in Iran, please mark
donations "Iran Earthquake Relief" and send them to IOCC, P.O. Box 630225,
Baltimore, Md. 21263-0225.

To learn more about IOCC's emergency relief and development programs around
the world, please visit www.iocc.org.

For media inquiries, please contact IOCC Communications Associate Stephen
Huba at 1-877-803-4622 or shuba@iocc.org.
International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC)
110 West Road, Suite 360, Baltimore, Md. 21204 - Tel: (410) 243-9820 - Fax:
(410) 243-9824
Web: www.iocc.org - E-mail: news@iocc.org