Iran, UN Discuss Humanitarian Aid for Conflict-Affected Regions
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Diplomats from Iran and the UN at a meeting in Tehran weighed plans to deliver humanitarian aids to people in the conflict zones, particularly in Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Mohsen Baharvand held talks with the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths in Tehran on Tuesday.
In the gathering, the Iranian diplomat stressed the importance of the UN’s humanitarian aid in the conflict zones, specifically in Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq, regardless of political considerations and pressures.
Despite the cruel sanctions, Iran has always stood ready to help the UN in sending humanitarian aids to the needy in the war-hit areas, Baharvand added.
“Unfortunately, the United States’ unilateral sanctions have not only impeded trade in humanitarian goods such as buying food and drugs, but also overshadowed the UN’s dispatching of humanitarian aid to the needy in conflict-stricken and crisis-hit zones,” the Iranian diplomat noted, according to the Foreign Ministry’s official website.
“As soon as Griffiths assumes his new responsibility, he should put this issue on the agenda,” Baharvand added.
Griffiths will soon be appointed as UN undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs.
The Iranian deputy minister also proposed that an international contract be drawn up under which the humanitarian assistance and trade would not be targeted by the sanctions and political considerations or be used for military purposes.
He also expressed deep concern about a rise in the terrorist attacks in Afghanistan against the ethnic groups and religions, saying such acts not only amount to war crimes, but are regarded as a gross violation of human rights.
For his part, Griffiths said he would soon begin work in his new capacity, elaborating on the priorities of the United Nations’ humanitarian programs.
The two sides also exchanged views on the regional issues, including the developments in Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq as well as the UN’s role from a humanitarian perspective.