JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have sent a relief plane to Tehran carrying 95 tons of relief items to support flooding victims as part of the joint UAE-Saudi initiative to alleviate the suffering of Iranians.
The plane was accompanied by a delegation from the Red Crescent to deliver relief items, including large quantities of food, tents and shelter materials.
Iran’s worst flooding in 70 years started on March 19 and has killed at least 76 people. It has forced more than 220,000 into emergency shelters and caused an estimated $2.5 billion in damage to roads, bridges, homes and farmland.
The two countries said the Iran relief operation was a reflection of their approach to stand by those affected by humanitarian crises and natural disasters everywhere, and at any time.
“The instructions of King Salman embody the ties of brotherhood that link Saudi Arabia to the Iranian people,” Dr. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Qasem, president of the Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA), said.
The SRCA has assigned a team to supervise the preparation of logistics and food in collaboration with its UAE counterpart.
The northeast of Iran was first to be hit by floods before the west and southwest were inundated on March 25. On April 1, the west and southwest were again engulfed after heavy rain returned.
Tehran has told its citizens, especially flood-affected farmers, that all losses will be compensated.
(With SPA)
