OLDEST IRISH AMERICAN NEWSPAPER IN USA, ESTABLISHED IN 1928
Category: Archive

Concern duo aids in Iran relief effort

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

Two Irish emergency workers with the humanitarian agency Concern have been to Bam and have coordinated with other agencies to provide assistance. John Kilkenny and Ros O’Sullivan are two of Concern’s most experienced emergency relief workers.
On Saturday, a woman said to be in her late 90s was pulled from the ruins of her house in Bam, many days after rescuers had given up hope of finding survivors.
In New York, Concern representative Dominic McSorley, himself a veteran of Concern’s relief efforts around the world, said that the response from local Iranian relief groups and from international organizations has been impressive, but while the situation in Bam is improving, much remains to be done to help local residents.
“It’s very cold at night and there are public health concerns,” McSorley said. “Food is not a problem, as the Red Cross has been distributing tinned food and high-energy biscuits. Food has been diverted from Afghanistan to meet the need.”
Still, the devastation has been severe, McSorley said, according to reports sent back by O’Sullivan and Kilkenny.
“Ninety-three health centers have been destroyed,” McSorley said. “Nine out of 11 wells are still functioning but the pipes have been destroyed and water is being supplied by water tankers. Many local teachers were killed in the earthquake and 23 schools have been destroyed.”
O’Sullivan and Kilkenny, said McSorley, are “looking for gaps in the relief effort” where they can be effective while working in concert with other groups, and are providing invaluable ongoing assessment of the situation. The city has been divided into 21 sectors among relief organizations. Much of the relief effort is being coordinated by the Iranian Red Crescent.
“This is quite a developed society,” McSorley said, “and the local response has been fast and effective. [The two Irishmen] feel the immediate needs are being met but they are looking at what secondary needs Concern and help with.”
Already, Concern has made

Other Articles You Might Like

Sign up to our Daily Newsletter

Click to access the login or register cheese