Iranian towns and villages have been hit with floods for a second straight week as officials trade accusations over their response efforts. Meanwhile, the Iranian Red Crescent is complaining that US sanctions are impeding aid efforts, according to Al Monitor.
The southwestern province of Lorestan is the latest area to be hit by flooding. Iranians on social media shared videos and pictures from today, April 1, showing homes swept away by the floods, blocks of homes completely immersed in water, and collapsed bridges. One viral video showed a home under water up to its roof.
Many other Iranian provinces are not out of the clear yet. The Meteorological Organization of Iran warned of more showers, heavy winds, flooding and overflowing rivers in a number of provinces, including Khuzestan, Ilam, Kermanshah, Kordestan and Chaharmahal Bakhtiari. Officials have warned Iranians to not travel in the western and southwestern provinces and to stay away or be alert when traveling in areas experiencing flooding.
Meanwhile, a top Iranian aid official has complained about the impact of US sanctions on the recovery and aid efforts. Ali Asghar Peyvandi, the head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, said March 30, “Prior to the [reimposition of US] sanctions, we had some Red Crescent accounts connected to SWIFT, and we sought international aid through them. However, at present, these accounts have been sanctioned and there is no possibility for money transfers from other countries,” including the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
"During the [2017] earthquake in Kermanshah," Peyvandi said, "we were forced to use the account of a hospital belonging to the Iranian Red Crescent Society to receive aid from the federation.” He continued, “We’ve written to the federation and the United Nations about the impact of the sanctions on our ability to receive international aid, but we have not received an answer.” He added that as a humanitarian organization involved in disaster relief, the Iranian Red Crescent Society expects to be exempt from US sanctions, but so far they have not received any such exemptions.
According to a Reuters report last week, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a statement that it was ready to offer aid to Iran, but “challenges caused by unilateral sanctions will affect the UN response and the accountability of UN to deliver the appropriate support.”
"Economic terrorism"
In this vein, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif took to Twitter April 1 to slam the claimed impact of sanctions on aid operations, writing “@realDonaldTrump ‘s 'maximum pressure' — flouting UNSC Res 2231 & ICJ ruling — is impeding aid efforts by #IranianRedCrescent to all communities devastated by unprecedented floods.” He added, “Blocked equipment includes relief choppers: This isn't just economic warfare; it's economic TERRORISM.”
Also, Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter Maurer, criticised unilateral US sanctions on Iran that have hindered international donation and non-cash humanitarian relief to Iran flood survivors. "Neutral and impartial humanitarian action is hindered by elaborate sanctions regimes and counter-terrorism measures," he told the Security Council on Monday.
European, regional states rush to aid
Although unilateral US sanctions have totally impeded any cash and non-cash aid from abroad to Iran, several European countries such as Germany have said they will dispatch aid to Iranian Red Crescent.
German Ambassador to Iran Michael Klor-Berchtold wrote in his personal Twitter that German Red Cross will send 40 boats and safety equipment to the Iranian Red Crescent.
Floods have affected at least 23 out of Iran’s 31 provinces since heavy downpours began on March 19. Western and southwestern parts of the country are expected to bear the brunt of the storms in the days ahead, Reuters reports.
The commander of the army’s ground forces told state television that 20 of their helicopters were deployed to flooded areas to evacuate villagers.
Police renewed calls for people to avoid unnecessary journeys even though Iran is celebrating the Nowruz new year holiday, a time when many families travel.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said last week that it was ready to offer help to Iran, but challenges caused by U.S. sanctions could affect the U.N. response.
Norwegian Ambassador Lars Nordrum said his country is prepared to send aid to help rescue and relief work. He made the remark in meeting with Iranian Red Crescent officials.
Earlier, Austrian envoy Stefan Scholtz said Vienna is ready to deepen cooperation on heavy urban search and rescue.
Turkish Red Crescent has also sent several lorries, carrying necessary items for the survivors of the inundation. The aid has entered Iran from the two countries land frontier thorugh Bazargan border crossing.