Saudi, UAE Send Relief Aid to Flood-Stricken Iran
◢ Saudi Arabia and the UAE have sent 95 tons of humanitarian aid to their rival Iran as it reels from deadly floods, officials said Thursday, after Tehran complained US sanctions were obstructing relief. The aid, which includes food and shelter material, was authorized by Saudi Arabia's king and crown prince, it added.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE have sent 95 tons of humanitarian aid to their rival Iran as it reels from deadly floods, officials said Thursday, after Tehran complained US sanctions were obstructing relief.
"The Saudi Red Crescent, as part of a joint Saudi-UAE initiative to alleviate the suffering of Iranian citizens, has dispatched a relief plane to Tehran with 95 tons of humanitarian aid to support those affected by floods," the official Saudi Press Agency said.
The aid, which includes food and shelter material, was authorized by Saudi Arabia's king and crown prince, it added.
The Emirates Red Crescent was also involved in the relief operation, the UAE's official WAM news agency said.
At least 76 people have died in Iran after torrential rainfall, which has also caused billions of dollars worth of damage since March 19.
Iran's Red Crescent has repeatedly complained that US banking sanctions re-imposed last year make it impossible to receive donations from outside the country.
US President Donald Trump last year withdrew Washington from a multilateral agreement on Iran'snuclear program, later re-imposing sanctions focusing on oil exports and financial transactions.
Sunni powerhouse Saudi Arabia and Shiite-dominated Iran have a longstanding rivalry based as much on geostrategic interests as religious differences.
Facing off across the Gulf, the two major oil producers have taken opposing sides for decades in conflicts across the Middle East.
Riyadh broke off diplomatic relations with Tehran in 2016 in protest at the torching of its diplomatic missions by Iranian protesters angry over its execution of a leading Shiite cleric.
Photo: Saudi Red Crescent
EU Provides €1.2 Million in Emergency Support Following Iran Floods
◢ Responding to the devastating floods that have recently affected northern and south western parts of Iran, the European Commission has announced an initial amount of EUR 1.2 million of emergency funding to assist the most vulnerable communities.
Responding to the devastating floods that have recently affected northern and south western parts of Iran, the European Commission has announced an initial amount of EUR 1.2 million of emergency funding to assist the most vulnerable communities.
In a statement released on Thursday, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides declared, “We stand in full solidarity with the Iranian people at this difficult time. Our thoughts are with the thousands of families affected by the deadly floods as well as with the brave responders on the ground. The EU will help deliver essential support in the impacted areas.”
The commissioner added, “The new funding will support humanitarian partners, including the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in delivering much needed relief assistance which will allow the most in need to cover their urgent needs. For over 20 years the EU has funded humanitarian operations in Iran, providing assistance to the most vulnerable refugees, including protection, shelter, water and sanitation, food security, and access to basic education and healthcare services.”
Photo Credit: IRNA
