Our heart goes out to the people of Iran

The world must respond more promptly and vigorously. The need for assistance will rise by the day if not by the hour. The particular thing about earthquakes is that the buildings and structures that survive the initial disaster are often unsafe for any use as they are seriously weakened by the quake. So what is estimated to be the extent of disaster at the outset soon proves to be wrong as new facts reveals the real extent of the tragedy. In addition to the need for assistance Iran has asked for help in the search for survivors which require very sophisticated tools and skills to undertake. As has been seen from many earthquakes elsewhere that people survive under the rubbles for days and hundreds, if not thousands of lives can be saved if rescue operation can be conducted in time.

We are happy to note that world leaders appear to have risen above politics and narrow interest and are trying to come to Iran's aid at this moment of need. It is obvious that requirements will be of all sorts of items from food, water, medicine to temporary shelter. There is also an appeal for body bags to gather the mortal remains of the dead and bury them with some semblance of dignity.

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We from Bangladesh should consider being part of the international effort to aid Iran. We can send teams of doctors and engineers including paramedics and even some quantum of medicines. Even if limited, we must express our solidarity with the Iranian people, not only through words, but also through deeds.