Iranian Humanitarian Aid Sent to Alaverdi

The humanitarian aid transferred by Iran has arrived in Armenia for the residents affected by the floods in the Lori region, and will be delivered to Alaverdi by the staff of the Iranian Red Crescent and the Armenian Red Cross on June 7.

According to Armenpress, a meeting was held at the Armenian Red Cross Society with the Deputy Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Armenia, Bahram Taheri, political advisor Mohammad Javad Alavi, a representative of the Iranian Red Crescent, and the President of the Armenian Red Cross Society, David Nersisyan.

In his speech, David Nersisyan expressed condolences regarding the death of the Iranian president and accompanying officials in a helicopter crash, which happened shortly before the terrible natural disaster in Armenia's Lori region.

He considered it symbolic that the Iranian Red Crescent was one of the first to respond to the natural disaster in Armenia, which resulted in the loss of lives, by offering to support those affected.

“Despite the tragic occasion, it is worth noting that this once again confirms the close cooperation of humanitarian organizations of the two neighboring countries. The Armenian Red Cross Society, remaining loyal to its principles, reaffirms the importance of bilateral cooperation and hopes for a broader inclusion for the strengthening of relations. We are confident that the connections formed over the years can bring greater ideas to life for the benefit of the stakeholders of both organizations. There are many challenges, disasters, wars, and other dangers in the region, and that is precisely why the joint work of the two organizations is important, as the supreme value for us is human life,” said Nersisyan, thanking partners for their support during this difficult time.

Iran’s Deputy Ambassador Bahram Taheri expressed sympathy and condolences on behalf of the Iranian people and the embassy to those affected by the disaster in Lori region, and thanked the Armenian government and people for their condolences and sympathies for the deaths of the president, minister of foreign affairs, and accompanying delegation in the helicopter crash.

In this context, he emphasized the importance of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s visit to Iran and his meetings with the country's spiritual leader and the acting president, noting that simultaneously, the Armenian president, speaker of parliament, senior officials, and numerous citizens visited the Iranian embassy to pay their respects.

“History shows that the people of our two countries have always stood by each other in both good and bad times, and this will continue. After learning about the floods in Armenia, the Iranian Red Crescent immediately expressed its willingness to provide support to the affected. We are here today to deliver this small aid transferred by the Iranian people to the Armenian side. We know that the damages are quite significant, but this small help can somehow support them,” assured the Iranian deputy ambassador, confirming that the Iranian side is always ready to provide support in such instances.

David Nersisyan, highly appreciating the humanitarian assistance provided, awarded commemorative medals dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Red Cross Society to the representatives of the Iranian embassy and Red Crescent.

According to the Armenian Red Cross Society, the humanitarian aid from the Iranian side includes canned food, tents, bedding, kitchenware, and sanitary kits, among other items.