Iranian earthquake on Facebook

Shahrzad News

The indications are that Iranians do not trust government charities or aid centres, and prefer to act independently to help victims of the earthquake. Though this may be undeniable, the angst-laden atmosphere makes many feel powerless to help.

Shahrzadnews:Today I am apprehensive about logging on to Facebook. Every time I do so I find pictures of dead women and children, victims of the earthquake in Iranian Azerbaijan. What if I had been one of them? If I had been injured in an accident and was still conscious, I wouldn’t want anyone to see me in such a terrible physical and mental state. The photos arouse pity, but how do we know whether that is what the victims want? The images were published however partly to show how angry people are about this incompetent government’s failure to help those affected by this disaster.

Saeedi, the Friday prayers imam in the city of Qum, made a disgusting joke. “Our scientists should investigate whether this earthquake is indeed a natural disaster, or whether it’s a result of the bad-hejabi and corruption in our society. Might it even have been an imperialist or Zionist-based conspiracy?”

The Iranian Red Crescent won’t accept foreign aid, and national radio and television didn’t even cover the earthquake. So who in this country is taking the responsibility to help the victims?
One internet user remarked: “The Tabriz blood bank desperately needs donations, but only one of its four centres is open, and only a handful of donors are turning up.” Other images however show long lines of people queuing up to donate blood in Tehran.

The indications are that Iranians do not trust government charities or aid centres, and prefer to act independently to help victims of the earthquake. Though this may be undeniable, the angst-laden atmosphere makes many feel powerless to help.