Volunteers are the core of Iranian Red Crescent Society relief efforts in Bam

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By Suzanne Charest, in Bam, Iran

The sports stadium in Bam has been transformed into a temporary relief distribution centre for the victims of the December 26 earthquake. Scores of families swarm around the various tents and are greeted by dozens of Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) volunteers who provide them with food, blankets, carpets, tents and other urgently needed materials.

During the last ten days, volunteer teams came to Bam from 12 IRCS provincial branches across the country. They remain as teams covering the assistance needs for specific districts of the devastated city. 

Asadullah Shoeleh, 42, from the Chararmahal-Bakhliyari IRCS provincial branch, located 1,000 kms southwest of Bam, arrived with his team of 80 rescue and relief workers one day after the quake. "We saw absolute destruction, with dead bodies everywhere and many people still trapped under the rubble," says Shoeleh. "Our search and rescue team worked tirelessly to find survivors."

Their focus shifted to providing and erecting tents for the tens of thousands left without a home in the cold of winter. Shoeleh's team quickly put up 200 tents. "Our team of volunteers slept very little during the last week as they were energized by providing help to the people devastated by the disaster."

Hossein Hassani, a 20 year-old volunteer in the team, was motivated to help his fellow citizens when he saw the misery and death in Bam on television. "I felt a strong obligation to help those whose lives have been shattered by this tragedy," says Hassani.

Yaser Jahanbizer, a 23 year-old university student, is also inspired by the volunteer work in Bam. "Even if we are only helping in a small way, it shows that the power of humanity is alive in Iran," said Jahanbazi.

As a large truck arrives laden with boxes of relief supplies, Hassani and Jahanbizer join another group of volunteers to form a line, passing along the boxes to each other. They recite an Arabic prayer and share the spirit of volunteering with the Red Crescent.

In the initial phase of the emergency, more than 8,500 Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) staff and volunteers supported the relief efforts in Bam. The IRCS continues to effectively lead the relief operation, with more than 1,700 IRCS relief workers currently providing assistance on the ground.