"This is a symbolic and goodwill gesture. It is sure that our 20,000 lats (29,595 euros/37,757 dollars) will not save Iran, but we have to help as we can," Einars Repse, Latvia's prime minister said.

The southeastern Iranian city of Bam was hit by a massive earthquake on December 26 that killed up to 35,000 people.

"We will send money to the United Nations' humanitarian assistance co-ordination bureau," Andris Teikmanis, deputy state secretary at the foreign ministry added.

On Tuesday the United Nations said it would launch a multi-million dollar appeal later this week to help fund reconstruction and relief efforts.

TERRA.WIRE