The Bam Earthquake: One Year Later

Immediately following the devastating Bam earthquake, Mercy Corps rushed critical aid to thousands of Iranian children and families. Photo: Cassandra Nelson/Mercy Corps

On the morning of December 26, 2003, a massive earthquake leveled the ancient city of Bam, Iran. Over 30,000 people were killed as once-vibrant neighborhoods suddenly fell to rubble. Nearly the entire infrastructure of the region, including roads, schools and hospitals, was destroyed or severely damaged. The health system was completely decimated: 122 clinics, hospitals and health houses were reduced to piles of rock and brick.

Instantly, more than 150,000 Iranians' lives changed forever.

Within hours of the devastating earthquake, Mercy Corps rushed lifesaving aid to survivors. An incredible outpouring of support, including critical donations, was vital to our relief efforts.

In the days following the earthquake, Mercy Corps delivered thousands of blankets, 1,000 space heaters and hundreds of liters of drinking water to families who had lost everything. With your help, we also shipped 500 family-sized tents to Bam, which were used to build a makeshift camp that provided much-needed shelter during cold winter nights.

A year later, the rebuilding of Bam and recovery of lost livelihoods continues. Mercy Corps has worked with families every step of the way.

"The main purpose of Mercy Corps in Bam is to provide needed and flexible assistance to people affected by the earthquake," said Lynn Renken, Mercy Corps Senior Program Officer. "We have worked to help children who had been traumatized by the earthquake, and have also worked to repair critical water sources in Bam. Now we are working to re-establish infrastructure and services that were wiped out during the earthquake."

Mercy Corps has partnered with other humanitarian organizations, including Peace Winds Japan, to ensure that everyone in need of assistance could be reached. We have also established a good working relationship with the Iranian government, who has repeatedly expressed its thanks for Mercy Corps' efforts in Bam.

Over the past year, Mercy Corps has helped restore hope to the people of Bam. From re-building hospitals and schools to re-opening businesses, we are helping make Bam a stronger city than ever before.