NIAC Raises over $25,000 For Iranian Quake Victims: Special Fund is Only Legal Means for Americans to Help in Earthquakes Search and Rescue Efforts

Iranian Americans are pouring thousands of dollars into a relief fund for the victims and survivors of todays pre-dawn earthquake in eastern Iran.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) December 29, 2003 --Iranian Americans are grieving for the thousands of lives destroyed today and are desperately searching for a way to help the survivors and their loved ones," said Dokhi Fassihian NIACs Executive Director. Given the sanctions on Iran, the normal avenues for sending international aid are closed when it comes to this crisis." For this reason, NIAC is working with the American Red Cross and MercyCorps to raise funds for the relief effort in Iran.

Since the launch of the Earthquake Fund this morning, over one thousand dollars have been donated per hour from Americans of Iranian decent who wish to help in any way they can. Despite the obstacles, were still finding a way for Americans to send relief," says NIAC President Trita Parsi. NIAC asks that Americans of all backgrounds come together during this holiday season and participate in the relief effort."

Individuals have three ways to make their donations through the NIAC website (www.niacouncil.org). Individuals can:
1. Donate to the MercyCorps' Iran Earthquake Fund. The MercyCorps team is scheduled to arrive in Iran early Saturday morning.
2. Send donations directly to NIAC. NIAC has an agreement with the American Red Cross that all money collected will be used for Iranian earthquake victims only.
3. Make donations to the American Red Cross. By selecting the "INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE FUND" on the right hand side of the page, individuals can be assured that the majority of the money collected through this fund will be sent to the earthquake victims.

For more information on this crisis, visit the NIAC website at www.niacouncil.org. NIAC will continue to monitor the situation, and will report on ways Americans from all communities can help during this emergency.

NIAC is a Washington, DC-based non-partisan, non-political, non-sectarian and non-profit educational organization dedicated to promoting Iranian-American participation in American civic life. NIAC does not work with and has no ties with any governments, political parties or political personalities, and is a non-profit 50 c(3) organization. For more information about the organization, please visit www.niacouncil.org or email us at info@niacouncil.org or send a fax to (202) 518-5507.