A non-governmental crisis expert currently in Bam stated: "Ask benevolent women to form groups to address the situation of orphaned children and gather them from underfoot." Roya Karimi Majd, a journalist who recently returned from the earthquake-hit city of Bam to Tehran, quoted this expert saying: "If the situation continues like this, within a week these children will be sold at the cheapest prices." Many of these children may have surviving relatives, but most adults are not in a position to prevent the abduction of children. Meanwhile, Mohammad Reza Rahchamani, head of the Welfare Organization, told ILNA news agency: "The qualifications of NGOs wishing to take custody of the children must be verified." According to the Women's Iran website, Roya Karimi Majd also reported the activation of gangs of criminals and former inmates who have escaped from Bam prison, stating: "800 prisoners, mostly criminals, including about 40 death row inmates, are in the city, and due to the excessive congestion in Bam, controlling security is very difficult." She also added: "However, since yesterday evening, the army and the IRGC have largely taken control of the area to create security." Karimi Majd also reported her conversation with Dr. Nourbala, head of the Iranian Red Crescent, regarding the extent of assaults on women in Bam. According to her, Dr. Nourbala stated: "We do not have statistics yet." Nourbala also reported an attack by a group of criminals on several Red Crescent aid trucks that were transporting assistance to Bam, stating that these trucks were completely looted before reaching Bam. In conclusion, Roya Karimi Majd said: "Despite the abundance of public aid, since this aid arrives in a completely disorganized manner to Bam, the possibility of its use by the people is reduced. If this aid were divided into hygiene, food, and clothing packages at the source and sent to Bam, then we would not see anyone who managed to get a coat but has no trousers."
Concerns Over the Sale of Children and Assaults on Women in Earthquake-Stricken Bam Are Serious - 2003-12-30
Concerns are rising about the potential sale of orphaned children and assaults on women in the earthquake-stricken city of Bam. A crisis expert warns that if the situation does not improve, children may be sold cheaply within a week. The presence of escaped criminals complicates the security situation, raising alarms about safety and the distribution of aid.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Concerns have emerged regarding the potential sale of orphaned children and increased assaults on women in Bam following a devastating earthquake. A crisis expert warns that the situation is dire, with escaped criminals exacerbating security issues.
- An estimated 800 prisoners, including violent offenders, have escaped and are complicating security efforts.
- Aid distribution is chaotic, leading to inefficiencies in delivering necessary supplies to the affected population.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Bam was struck by a devastating earthquake in December 2003, leading to significant loss of life and infrastructure. The aftermath has revealed deep social issues, including the exploitation of vulnerable populations.
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%