31 December 2003 | GENEVA -- The World Health Organization (WHO).

Dr Hussein A. Gezairy, the Regional Director for the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office, in his condolences message to the President and to the Minister of Health and Medical Education, reaffirmed the commitment of WHO to provide necessary technical and material support to the Islamic Republic of Iran. He said: "The priorities are to take care of the survivors, reduce the negative health impacts of the harsh environmental conditions on them, re-establish systems that keep a look out for communicable diseases and - if they are detected - make sure that they are quickly controlled, and re-start health care services ensuring adequate psychological counselling and care to those who survived the tragedy".

Sourse: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/releases/2003/pr95/en/