World Vision begins night time distribution of relief
New Zealand press officer, James Addis was helping in World Vision's first distribution of relief goods to earthquake
victims, negotiating rubble and garbage strewn streets in darkness.[January 3]
Five pick-up trucks delivered 72, 6 person tents, to vulnerable families all registered by the Red Crescent as being in
dire need.
James Addis says the decision to distribute at night was made to avoid crowds gathering and preventing an orderly
distribution. Also families tended to be gathered in one place, rather than spread around the city performing various
errands, so it was easier to confirm family numbers.
Tents were allocated to homeless families, who had not yet received a tent or else were suffering overcrowding in a tent
already allocated.
One family of five, huddled around a make-shift campfire and who had spent a week without shelter were overjoyed to
receive a tent.
Beneficiaries who clamoured around the pick-up trucks during the distribution kept repeating their complaint about the
bitter cold conditions. Many wore only sandals on their feet.
The Red Crescent supplied volunteers and the trucks to mount the operation
World Vision Relief director Ton Van Zutphen said the high regard for the Red Crescent by Iranians helped ensure that
distributions ran smoothly.