Earthquake Victims Need More Help

This morning Reuters is reporting that the Bam earthquake death toll may reach 50,000.

The BBC reports that hundreds of workers and dozens of planes from almost 30 countries have arrived in the Bam area to help. The U.S. has sent eight planeloads of medical and humanitarian supplies as well as several dozen relief experts.

Aid workers are requesting more aid to assist some 100,000 people left homeless and thousands more injured:

"There are still gaps to be filled," said Rob MacGillivray, emergency adviser for Save The Children in Bam.

Restoring medical services was a priority, he said. Bam's two main hospitals were destroyed. Blankets, children's clothes, soap, cooking sets and large cans for drinking water were also badly needed.

I have read some comments in the blogosphere along the lines that doesn’t deserve our help. I couldn’t disagree more strongly. As James Joyner, at Outside the Beltway, and Matthew J. Stinson explain, the victims deserve our assistance. This is so even if we hold them responsible for not overthrowing their tyrannical regime.

If you haven’t already please donate something to help the victims. I posted about a number of agencies which will accept donations for the Bam earthquake victims here.