Medical support in Recovery phase after an earthquake in Bam

Abstract

A major earthquake in Bam, Iran, which occurred on 26th of December,2003, claimed more than 26,000 deaths and most of the medical facilities were destroyed or left inoperative.
Although many relief organizations left Bam after the initial stage of the disaster, the necessity of medical support continued with the condition of many victims still desperate. Therefore, medical assistance was provided by HuMA in the recovery phase, and four prefabricated buildings were donated to an Urban Health Center (UHC) for use as a clinic. Essential medical equipment was provided to emergency centers in Bam. In addition, surveillance study was conducted to investigate how environmental health conditions could be improved and effective assistance be given during the recovery phase of the disaster. From monitoring of onsite disaster relief in Bam, it is concluded that the donor agencies should make efforts to continue their activities not only in the acute phase but also in sub-acute and recovery phase and if necessary to cooperate among different agencies according to their capability. Furthermore, it is suggested that close cooperation between NGOs and government agencies would lead to much faster and much more effective disaster relief for victims.