Madam, - As Irish children return to school after the Christmas break, thousands of students in Bam in Iran have no school to return to and normal life must seem a lifetime away for them.
Official reports from Iran indicate that as many as 9,000 pupils were killed during the earthquake of December 26th and about 1,200 teachers are still missing. About 6.000 children have lost at least one of their parents.
The head of the education department in Bam has said that teachers and pupils badly need psychological help because "they are morally devastated". It is estimated that 90 per cent of the buildings in the city were destroyed or damaged in the earthquake, including houses, schools and hospitals.
Some 75,000 survivors are facing night after night of freezing temperatures with no homes and are fearful that aftershocks could bring the remaining buildings down upon them.
With Trócaire's support, our local partners have been able to distribute tents, heaters, blankets, food and medicines to the most vulnerable people. This work has been possible only because of Irish public support and we appreciate this solidarity. In the coming weeks, the main challenge is to provide stronger shelters to protect people from the high winds and scorching summer temperatures which come in March.
Donations are being put to good use and will have a lasting effect. - Yours, etc.,
JUSTIN KILCULLEN,
Director,
Trócaire,
Maynooth,
Co Kildare.