After a major earthquake hit Iran on 16 April, Mr. Gary Lewis, United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Iran,  said that the United Nations Office in Iran stands ready to help the government and the people of the country as necessary if asked to do so, during an interview with BBC World News. 

Following a major earthquake that shook Khash district in Sistan & Baluchestan, south east of Iran, near the borders with Pakistan, on Tuesday, the government declared a state of emergency in the area, while help from neighboring provinces, Kerman, South Khorasan and Khuzestan was on the way.

The Iranian Seismological Center said the earthquake, which it put at magnitude 7.7, had struck Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan province about 3:15 PM local time. The epicenter of the quake was about 80 kilometers north of the city of Saravan, the center said. Tremors were also felt in Dubai, Karachi, New Delhi, Afghanistan and other neighboring areas.

Voicing sorrow over the victims of yesterday’s earthquake in Iran and Pakistan, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also promised both countries United Nations assistance should they need it. [Read More]