Trump Sanctions Blocking Aid Money Reaching Flood Victims in Iran: Red Crescent
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Washington's new anti-Iran sanctions are preventing aid from reaching the country after flash flooding claimed at least 70 lives and left 86,000 people homeless, according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society.
The humanitarian organization said it was unable to obtain foreign financial assistance for the victims of the disaster as a result of the “inhuman” measures reintroduced by US President Donald Trump last year.
Instead, the Red Crescent is reliant on non-financial help, such as a recent rescue package of boats and equipment worth €300,000 (£260,000) from Germany.
“No foreign cash help has been given to the Iranian Red Crescent society,” the group said in a statement, the Independent reported recently.
“With attention to the inhuman American sanctions, there is no way to send this cash assistance.”
The floods, which mainly affected the northeast and southwest of the country, were caused by exceptionally heavy rainfall which has hit the country since 19 March.
Iran’s government has promised to compensate all losses.