For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 27, 2003
U.S. to Deploy Humanitarian Assistance to People of Iran
Statement by the Press Secretary
The United States government is currently working with Iranian
authorities, the United Nations, and the International Red Cross and
Red Crescent to rapidly deploy humanitarian assistance to the people of
Iran following yesterday's devastating earthquake in Bam.
The United States will deploy civilian teams composed of more than
200 experts in urban search and rescue, emergency surgery, and disaster
response coordination -- including medical response teams from Boston,
Massachusetts, and local disaster response teams from Los Angeles,
California, and Fairfax County, Virginia. Disaster response experts
will also be drawn from USAID, FEMA, and the Department of State, and
the US military will deliver more than 150,000 pounds of medical
supplies from bases in Kuwait to the people of Iran.
The United States will continue to work with Iranian authorities
and international relief organizations to help the people of Iran
during this challenging time.
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