Caritas Aiding 500 Iranian Families After Quake

The death toll from the 6.4-magnitude temblor that struck Tuesday has reached 602, according to Agence France-Presse.

Caritas workers estimate that the "the degree of destruction caused by this earthquake is very serious and comparable, if not worse, to that in December 2003 in the Bam area."

The Iranian authorities requested that all humanitarian organizations present in the country coordinate their assistance with the Red Crescent Society, Caritas told ZENIT.

Emergency aid includes blankets, heaters, tents, coats, clothing, mineral water, bread, and canned meat and fish.

Electricity has already been restored, but not drinking water.

The families that lost their homes are being sheltered temporarily in tents and in the few schools and public buildings that are still standing after the quake.