World Vision New Zealand will commit an initial 50,000 New Zealand dollars ($32,477) towards earthquake relief operations in Iran.
World Vision New Zealand executive director Helen Green said the response was so strong on the very first day of its public appeal that the agency was confident it would be able to commit even more funds, and hoped to quickly match the $200,000 pledged by the New Zealand government, stated a press release.
Green said World Vision was in a strong position to render assistance in Iran, having formed strong bonds with local aid agencies during the Afghanistan crisis when many refugees fled to Iran.
World Vision has stockpiles of emergency supplies in Brindisi, Italy ready to be flown to the disaster zone. Currently the agency's representatives are in Tehran clarifying with local authorities the most immediate needs.
The first airlift of relief supplies is expected to take place early this week. The first plane is likely to carry blankets, plastic sheeting and water containers. World Vision is also ready to airlift food, water purification units, electricity generators and medicines. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
