Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 May 2004
35 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the political situation in Iran; if he will advise on the humanitarian situation in the wake of the Bam earthquake and of the progress being made to restore housing and living conditions in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14525/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraConservative forces achieved victory in the parliamentary elections in Iran on 20 February. However, the victory was tainted by the interference in the electoral process by the Council of Guardians, who disqualified a large number of candidates prior to the election. The new Majlis will begin its term on 27 May. The February General Affairs and External Relations Council expressed its deep regret that candidates were prevented from standing in the Majlis elections and its hope that Iran would return to the path of reform and democratisation. On his recent visit to Dublin, Foreign Minister Kharrazi noted that, as Iranian foreign policy had been based on internal consensus, it will not change with the establishment of the new Majlis.
The earthquake that struck the ancient Iranian city of Bam on the morning of 26 December 2003 left the city and surrounding communities utterly devastated. Some 87% of the structures in Bam collapsed, including houses, schools and health centres. The earthquake killed an estimated 26,000 people, left some 30,000 injured and over 80,000 homeless.
According to the International Federation of the Red Cross, the general living conditions of people in Bam have improved over the intervening months as families are moving from tents into prefabricated housing. There is slow progress in clearing the rubble and on reconstruction works in the city. Although the situation has generally improved, many families continue to live in tents along the roadside. There is still also a great need for medical care and treatment. There is insufficient access to good quality water and sanitation is of serious concern. Relief operations are now integrating into longer-term recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction programmes.
On the day the earthquake struck, the Government allocated €1 million in humanitarian funding for the rescue operation and for immediate humanitarian needs. This funding was divided between the Red Cross/Red Crescent and the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Ireland has been commended by the United Nations for being one of the first donors to respond to the disaster.
As the situation has moved from one of emergency relief to recovery, further funding of €570,000 was allocated to our Irish NGO partners Concern and Trócaire in February of this year. This funding has now been fully disbursed and is being used to rehabilitate schools and to provide housing and local infrastructure in Bam and the surrounding villages.
Further assistance for the victims of the disaster will be considered by the Government in light of needs assessments and situation reports from the United Nations, Red Cross and other relevant humanitarian agencies.
