Ban pledges UN aid to Iran and Pakistan following powerful earthquake
April 17, 2013: Voicing sorrow over the victims of Tuesday’s earthquake in Iran and
Pakistan, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday promised both countries United
Nations assistance should they need it.
“I understand that the damage is less
than might have been expected for an earthquake of this strength,” he said at a ceremony
marking the re-opening of the Security Council Chamber following its refurbishment.
“Still, there are deaths and terrible damage. I express my profound condolences to
the families of the victims, and to the Governments and people of both countries.
“I will continue to follow the news closely as relief workers and search and
rescue teams reach the areas. The United Nations stands ready to help as necessary
if asked to do so,” he added.
According to media reports dozens of people were
killed in both countries when the quake struck the border region, with one Iranian
official quoted as saying it was the biggest earthquake in Iran in 40 years with the
death toll expected to be in the hundreds.