The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has donated $100,000 towards Islamic Relief’s $1 million house construction project in the earthquake city of Bam, Iran.
Islamic Relief is building 400 semi-permanent homes in Sina camp to house around 2000 earthquake survivors. The houses consist of a single room of 20 square metres, providing living space for a family of five, with an additional external toilet, shower, and kitchen block.
Three months after the disaster most of the survivors still live in tents. This project will help victims of the devastating earthquake return to normality and begin rebuilding their lives.
IR is coordinating the construction work with the Shura (community elders) of Sina camp and the Iranian Red Crescent, ensuring the most appropriate materials and designs are used.
Deadly Earthquake
The earthquake that flattened the Iranian city of Bam on 26th December 2003 claimed 26,000 lives, injured 30,000 and left around 75,000 people homeless. Entire families were crushed to death in their beds, and around 80% of the buildings in Bam were badly damaged or reduced to rubble.