Analyzing the Role of Military Forces in Relief and Health Services in the October 2017 Kermanshah Earthquake: Lessons for the Future

On the evening of the 21st of November, 2017, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 Richters struck the western regions of the Kermanshah province, including Sar-e-Pol-e-Zahab, Sallath-e- Babajani and Ghasre-Shirin. This natural calamity left more than 500 victims dead and thousands injured. The relief efforts began with the immediate intervention of local and governmental forces, and continued with the arrival of relief forces from neighboring areas. The role of the Armed Forces of the IR of Iran, in controlling this great natural disaster, was triage, search and rescue of survivors. In this paper, while describing the participation of NGO’s and expedient evacuation, the vital role of the armed forces cannot be underscored enough. Herein suggestions to promote disaster management in the current and future calamities are presented.