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Iran delivers sixth batch of humanitarian aid to quake-hit Syria

Friday, 10 February 2023 11:23 AM [ Last Update: Friday, 10 February 2023 4:19 PM ]

A handout picture released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) on February 9, 2023, shows the unloading of an Iranian plane carrying aid for the earthquake victims in the capital Damascus. (File photo via AFP)

Iran's sixth batch of humanitarian aid has arrived in Syria as the crisis-ridden country is racing against time in rescue and relief efforts after powerful earthquakes.

This is according to Alireza Fadavi, Iran's cultural counselor in Damascus, who noted that the cargo arrived at Latakia airport on Friday.

He said this is the second cargo in three days to Latakia. The counselor said the new batch includes 19-tones of aid which involves 5 tons of dates, 269 cartons of infant formula, 5 tons of rice, 500 pieces of mattresses, 90 tents, and food packages.

Iran has already delivered two humanitarian aid cargos to Damascus and two others to Aleppo to assist those affected by deadly earthquakes.

According to the latest figures, the quakes have claimed the lives of more than 21,500 people in Turkey and Syria. Rescue teams from many countries are working around the clock to pull survivors from the rubble.

Iran, meanwhile, has expressed its full readiness to dispatch more rescue teams to the affected areas, including Idlib which is controlled by militant groups.

Foreign Minister: Iran ready to immediately dispatch humanitarian aid, rescue teams to Syria’s Idlib

Iran’s foreign minister says the Islamic Republic is prepared to immediately dispatch humanitarian aid and rescue teams to quake-devastated areas in Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib.

Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian voiced the readiness in a telephone conversation with President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Mirjana Spoljaric Egger on Thursday evening.

He reiterated Iran’s readiness to help the Syrian and Turkish victims of the devastating earthquake, stating that it has already sent rescue teams to both countries and voiced preparedness to receive those injured in the quake at Iranian hospitals.

He called on international bodies to pay greater attention to the critical situation in the Arab nation in the face of Western sanctions, noting that due to the anti-Syrian sanctions, the situation of the Syrian people has dramatically deteriorated following the earthquake.

Tehran’s aid comes as Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad visited Aleppo hospital and vowed government support for victims.

At least 3,377 people are known to have died in Syria as rescue operations are underway.

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