Iran Calls on ICRC to Facilitate Dispatch of Emergency Aids to Yemen

01 April 2015 | 20:55 Code : 1945921 Latest Headlines

(FNA)- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian in a meeting with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Peter Maurer in Kuwait warned against the deterioration of the conditions in Yemen, and called for opening a path for the dispatch of emergency aids to the war-ravaged nation.

"There is a need for paving the way for the dispatch of emergency medical and foodstuff aid to the Yemeni nation," Amir Abdollahian said during the meeting on the sidelines of an international conference on Syria in Kuwait on Wednesday.

The Iranian deputy foreign minister voiced Tehran's readiness to send more humanitarian aid to the Yemeni people, and called for immediate halt to the military operations of the foreign countries against Yemen and massacre of civilians in the Arab country.

Maurer, for his part, briefed Amir Abdollahian on ICRC's aids in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine.

The ICRC chief appreciated Iran for its good relations with ICRC, and said, "We are planning to open a secure path for sending humanitarian aid to the Yemeni people."

On Tuesday, Amir Abdollahian announced that Tehran has prepared a plan to put an end to the ongoing bloodshed in Yemen.

"Tehran has a plan to halt the conflicts (in Yemen)," Amir Abdollahian told reporters on the sidelines of his visit to Kuwait.

The Iranian deputy foreign minister, however, did not elaborate on Tehran's peace proposal for Yemen.

In relevant development, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham earlier on Tuesday categorically rejected the allegations that Tehran has sent weapons to Yemen as mere fabrications.

"The allegations about sending weapons by the Islamic Republic of Iran to Yemen are completely fabricated and sheer lies," Afkham said.

She reiterated that such claims cannot justify the military invasion of Yemen, and said, "The agreement signed by the Civil Aviation Organization of Iran and its Yemeni counterpart are within the framework of agreements related to civil aviation and trade activities; Iran has sent several cargos containing medical and pharmaceutical aids to Yemen."

Afkham, meantime, called on the international bodies, specially the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to supply aids to the Yemeni people in view of the heavy losses and casualties inflicted on the country.

On Tuesday morning, Iran sent a cargo plane carrying humanitarian aid, including medical equipment, to Yemen.

Head of Iran Red Crescent Society (IRCS) Relief and Rescue Organization Nasser Charkhsaz told reporters that 19 tons of medicines and medical equipment was sent to Yemen.

He said the four consignments sent before included a total 50 tons of relief, medical, treatment, and consumer items.

Charkhsaz added that more humanitarian aids will be sent to Yemen if that country demands for more help.

Yemen has been the target of military aggression by a Saudi-led coalition since Thursday. More than 198 civilians, mainly women and children, have been killed and hundreds more have been injured in the attacks.

tags: iran amir abdollahian abdollahian yemen iranian