Hospital Disaster Recovery Phase

Hospital disaster recovery phase can be a long drawn out process. Look at the recent example of the earthquakes in Iran, a staggering loss of life in the wake of the recent 6.6 quake in southeast Iran – more than 25,000 people were confirmed dead by Monday and up to 40,000 are feared to have perished.

Small miracles have dramatically unfolded as well – a girl was pulled alive from the rubble just as rescuers' hopes faded on 3 days later.

But while the emergency phase of this disaster may ignite people's compassion, they will also need to remember Iran's needs a year – or more – from now.

Hospital disaster recovery phase - Both hospitals in Bam were destroyed as well.

Both hospitals in Bam were destroyed as well. Currently access to the most stricken city, Bam, and its surrounding areas is very limited as humanitarian groups try to get emergency supplies into the area.

Temporary tent camps are being set up to house tens of thousands of displaced people and currently, the biggest challenge is making sure relief supplies are distributed in an equitable and efficient manner. The airport in Bam is completely jammed.

Two aftershocks hit Bam early Monday morning, toppling some of the few walls still standing in the city. Many of the city's mud-brick houses, constructed without supporting metal or wooden beams, were toppled by the quake.

In Bam, approximately 70 percent of the mud structures were destroyed according to Catholic Relief Services, leaving tens of thousands homeless. Tents and blankets are in short supply in the city, with near-freezing nighttime temperatures reported.

In a crisis such as this we all need to learn the lessons that they are experiencing in Iran, that is, that the recovery phase is just as important as the emergency itself!