On Sunday, November 12th 2017, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit between Iran and Iraq at 9:38 pm. The earthquake was measured to have hit about 23 km of land (just over 14 miles) with aftershocks in Pakistan, Lebanon, Kuwait and Turkey. The quake killed approximately 530-580 people while injuring 7,460 and leaving 70,000 people homeless. Victims have reported that their homes’ structures gave in and collapsed on top of them. The Iranian Red Crescent began to use rescue dogs to search for people stuck under the rubble and failed infrastructure made of mud bricks.
In addition to destroying too many buildings including homes and businesses, the earthquake damaged the main hospital in Sarpol-e Zahab where thousands of people from nearing towns fled for medical attention. As a result of the shaking, the quake triggered landslides making it difficult to reach many victims, delaying rescue efforts. The people unable to be rescued were forced to sleep outside or in their damaged homes. This means that these people will have to suffer through the intense cold as night falls and temperatures drop below freezing.
Much of the relief efforts are being done by citizens. This strong sense of humanitarianism by different aid and Iranian organizations is providing warm clothes, blankets, food, water, and other essentials and is being supplied in large numbers. Iranian celebrities are contributing by making large donations, and are raising money to help provide relief for their people. Although labeled asone off most destructive tremors of 2017, the spirit of the people is resilient in helping one another to make the best of the catastrophe at hand.
If you would like to be help you can send donations to organizations like: Action Against Hunger, Relief International, and Iran’s Children.