GENEVA, Dec. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- The Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said on Saturday that they were sending relief supplies to the earthquake-devastated Iranian city of Bam and appealed for 12 million US dollars in aid to the region.

    The relief supplies include 20,000 tents, 30,000 plastic tarpaulins, 200,000 blankets, 40,000 kitchen sets, 400,000 water purification tablets, 20,000 kerosene heaters, and 30 electricity generators.

    The Geneva-based Red Cross said on the same day that it would send 20 trucks of relief supplies to Bam from Kermanshah, 1000 kmaway.

    After the earthquake struck on Friday, the United Nations appropriated 90,000 US dollars for disaster relief work.

    A UN office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs immediately dispatched a team to the disaster area to coordinate rescue operations.

    The UN's office also plans to dispatch a cargo plane to deliver 40 tons of tents, tarpaulins, water purification tablets and blankets to Iran. Enditem