Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) Allocated:
n/a
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In Brief
This document is being issued for information only. The Federation is not seeking any funding or other assistance from donors for the event at this time.
The Situation
An earthquake measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale was registered today at 10:14 AM local time (08:14 GMT) by Jordan Earthquake Monitoring Centre.
According to the same source, the epicentre of the tremor was the Dead Sea, about 45 kilometres from the Jordanian capital, Amman. The tremor shook building and was felt in Jordan, West Bank and Gaza, Israel and south Lebanon as reported by various sources.
No casualties have been reported so far.
Jordanian Government released immediately through major TV and Radio channels information about the earthquake to dispel rumours about aftershocks, which spread very quickly in the country causing some light panic in the capital at least.
By precaution, all public schools were closed and students sent home. Some offices were temporarily evacuated for a short period of time. The functioning of non-essential services was reduced temporarily as well.
Red Cross and Red Crescent action
Federation Office for the Middle East contacted immediately all relevant partners such as Jordan Red Crescent Society, Jordan's Earthquake Monitoring Centre, National Geographical Centre, media and the Civil Defense in order to gather information and prepare, if necessary for further action.
Within the process of information gathering the National Societies and/or Federation Delegations in the Palestinian AT/OT, Syria and Lebanon were contacted as well.
For a full description of the National Societies in the region, please see www.ifrc.org
MAP - Jordon & Neighboring Countries: Earthquake - Situation map
For further details please contact (field to provide/complete relevant contact details):
- Regional Office: Mr. Ole Guldahl, Head of Middle East Regional office; e-mail: ifrcjo03@ifrc.org ; phone: +962 6 5694911; fax: + 962 6 5681060 ;mobile :+962795796999
- Regional Department: Mr. Evgeni Parfenov, Senior Desk officer MENA department; e-mail: evgeni.parfenov@ifrc.org ; phone + 41 22 7304325;+ fax: 41 22 7330395
For support to or for further information concerning Federation operations in this or other countries, please access the Federation website at http://www.ifrc.org
For longer-term programmes, please refer to the Federation's Annual Appeal.