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Feb. 10, 2004
 The people of Bam, Iran, are trying to rebuild their lives after a 6.7 earthquake shook the ancient city on Dec. 26, leaving more than 35,000 dead and 80,000 homeless. Many residents continue to search through piles of rubble where their homes once stood in the hope of salvaging a few precious possessions. With every reason to be despondent, 63-three-year-old Mahmood Poordehghan remains optimistic. "Of course, we are staying. This is our home. With God's help and our good will, this town will soon shine again."
The people of Bam also have World Vision's help. By Jan. 2, we had flown in emergency relief supplies, including 27,000 blankets, 260 winterized tents, 8,000 bars of soap, and 15,000 water containers. With the help of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, tents and supplies were distributed at night. An effort to prevent crowds from gathering, nighttime distribution also made it more likely to find families gathered in one place. (Read story about our nighttime distribution.) Jari, an Iranian non-governmental organization, also assisted with the distributions.
 One family, the Ghazanfaris, had spent eight nights sleeping outdoors in the bitter cold. Like so many others, they had lost their home and several family members. The Ghazanfaris were thrilled when World Vision gave them a tent. "This is the first day we have a roof over our heads and somewhere to live," said 57-year-old Khazam Ghazanfari. "Before we would simply wrap the children in blankets and huddle as close as we could around an open fire." (Read a story about the Ghazanfari family.)
Ali Tajabadi, another tent recipient had this message for World Vision donors: "We are really thankful for your sympathy in this time of need. We send our warm greetings. We will not forget this." (Read story about Ali and his granddaughter Narjes.)
The nightly distributions also provided an opportunity for staff members to hear the stories of survivors like Zahren Dehghan. She was pulled from beneath the rubble of her house only to learn that her husband and three of her four children had died. Her eldest daughter Najmeh survived, though she was badly injured. "My only hope," said Zahren, tears streaming down her face, "is God." (Read story about quake survivors.)
 It is the children, many of whom have lost parents or loved ones, who have been particularly traumatized by the disaster. Six-year-old Amir lost his parents and sister during the quake. (Read stories about Amir.) To help children like Amir cope with trauma, World Vision has initiated the Child Friendly Spaces project, which includes tents where children can come and play with building blocks, hand puppets, colorful books, and other toys. (Read a story about the Child Friendly Spaces.)
Brothers Masoud and Moieen long to return to school after losing their home and uncle, but the school building isn't safe to enter. (Read a story about Masoud and Moieen.) In close cooperation with the Ministry of Health, World Vision is establishing 50 portable classrooms that will be located and installed in the Bam area. The first opened on Feb. 7. Children will receive basic education and be able to do recreational activities.
 We're also distributing activity boxes to primary school children — including jump ropes, footballs, a volleyball net, coloring books, paints, pencils, paper, small whiteboards, and storybooks — all designed to encourage creative activities and recreation. (Read a story about the impact of the activity boxes.)
World Vision staff members in Iran are assessing other ways in which we might assist the quake survivors. We've initiated projects involving clinic and school reconstruction, latrine construction, and the clearing of debris from streets and living areas. We've also distributed tools to enable people to remove the debris and begin reconstruction.
World Vision is accepting donations for Family Survival Kits to assist the people of Iran.
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