Spokespersons and photos available following the 7.3 magnitude earthquake
Red Crescent volunteers in Iran and northern Iraq are working around the clock in the aftermath of a devastating 7.3 magnitude earthquake that shook the border region Sunday evening.
In Iran, at least 430 people were killed and more than 7,000 injured by the quake. Iranian Red Crescent volunteers performed search-and-rescue and first aid in the immediate aftermath—deploying more than 100 teams to support disaster response efforts including sniffer dogs, debris removal, emergency shelter, first aid, and search-and-rescue.
As aftershocks continue, Red Crescent teams are distributing relief items including tents, ground sheets, blankets, kitchen sets, and food items such as canned food and rice.
In northern Iraq, the Red Crescent is reporting 10 people killed and more than 425 injured by the Sunday evening quake. The Iraqi Red Crescent deployed teams to evacuate the injured and provide first aid. A hospital in Darbandikhan was damaged, so the Red Crescent delivered first aid materials and set up a tent inside the hospital to receive and treat the injured temporarily.
As families start returning back to their homes in Kirkuk and surrounding areas, Iraqi Red Crescent health teams are offering services and volunteers are working alongside the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to distribute relief supplies such as water, food, kitchen sets, hygiene items, thermoses, kettles, tarps, blankets, and towels.
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About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.