On 26th December 2003, an earthquake measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale struck southeastern Iran's Kerman province under the city of Bam. 26,000 people were killed and over 75,000 left homeless. (Click here...)

In February 2004 the SVP in Ireland sent a cheque for £52k (€75k) to Trócaire to assist those affected by the earthquake. This money was used in Trócaire's Children's Social Centre project which focuses on entertainment, education and play for children who have lost parents and siblings as well as their home; their school and many of their friends.

1,000 children are now benefiting from these centres where they attend for at least two hours, six days a week.

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A further £52k (€75k) has been sent to Trócaire to help the displaced people of Sudan. According to the United Nations an estimated 50,000 civilians have been killed during the conflict and 1.5m driven from their homes.

The money sent to Trócaire will help buy material aid for those who have sought refuge from the violence in camps at Darfur. The humanitarian crisis continues to escalate and over 40,000 refugees are living in barbaric conditions and more than one fifth of the children are malnourished. Between 6-10 thousand people are dying each month mainly due to diarrhoea.

The Society has also contributed £7k (€10k) in response to Russia's own 9/11. 338 people were killed and as many wounded (mainly children) in the Beslan School Siege by Chechen Rebels in September 2004.

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The money is being used by the Red Cross to provide the survivors and their families with medical assistance in their homes and in the longer term psychological support to help them come to terms with the tragedy.