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[lucinate]

Whilst you're all sitting back thinking of the victims of the 2004 tsunami, spare a thought for the people of Bam, Iran. It's their 3rd anniversary.

They will be mourning the deaths of over half their population when a devastating earthquake desimated their city on Boxing Day 2003 and destroyed one of the world's oldest mud citadels.

Over 80% of the buildings were destroyed and over 31,000 people killed. Many people are still living in prefab buildings. Shops and businesses are run from metal ship containers. Except banks of course, which were the first buildings to be rebuilt. Then a hospital and a few schools. The 1800 year old citadel now looks like a huge block of melted chocolate. Unesco are there and are attempting to rebuild it but the locals say it will never be the same.

Most of the promised money never made it and alot of the Red Cross aid was stolen by bandits before it ever reached the city.

I'll be thinking of them.

[z e n t o]

Wow. I had no idea. I wonder how I missed such a catastrophic event. Maybe not enough westerners died in Iran to make the headlines. I will be thinking about them too. Thanks Lucy.

[whereshegoes]

That is tragic! A moment of silence is in order.

Thank you for bringing this forward Lucy.

[ScottWoz]

Great post Luce. Some of the facts are appalling. My thoughts are out there..

[rbisset]

My mates brother lives in Taiwan and they had a pretty big earthquake (5 quakes so far today!) but thankfully not much damage. My mate was talking to him on the phone when it happened and he said they were petrified! Their appartment was soaked as the fish tank went flying across the room!

[whereshegoes]

That would have been terrifying for someone to listen to on the phone!

[lucinate]

I had wanted to visit Bam on our travels to see the amazing citadel but when I heard about the earthquake I was devastated.

I still wanted to visit the city. I wanted to see what was left of the historical Arg and I knew my money would help even a little bit. I'm so glad I went. The people were lovely and the dates delicious.

[rbisset]

It's definitely on my list of places to go. A lot of places that need the most money are so far off the tourist trail that they'll never get out of the current mess. With the recent improvements in the Aceh situation it's definitely on the cards for a visit next time as well.

[mizliz]

That would have been terrifying for someone to listen to on the phone!

I imagine the flying fish were terrified as well!