Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said the money would be used for continuing emergency relief work and recovery programs following the December 26 quake, which killed more than 30,000 people.

"The earthquake that hit Bam on Boxing Day was a disaster of major proportions," Downer said in a statement.

He said Australian aid to Bam now totalled 4.5 million dollars.

The United Nations and the International Red Cross launched an urgent appeal for an additional 70 million US dollars Thursday to help provide basic services to inhabitants of the stricken city.

TERRA.WIRE