Iran ready to donate blood to Pakistan

Iran’s Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO) says it is ready to donate up to 2,000 units of blood to Pakistan, as Tehran steps up efforts to help its flood-stricken neighbor.

IBTO Managing Director Hassan Abolqasemi told IRNA on Thursday that the organization was waiting for an official request from Islamabad to dispatch the humanitarian aid package.

“As soon as we receive this request, we will send the 2,000 units, which contain various blood types,” he said.

The floods, which have washed through a fifth of Pakistan, have killed at least 1,600 people and affected another 20 million.

Dubbed the country’s worst-ever natural disaster, the floods have also stranded 800,000 people in areas only accessible by air.

Iran was among the first countries to dispatch relief supplies to Pakistan and has announced its readiness to help reconstruct Pakistan’s flood-ravaged regions.

On Wednesday, Iran’s Ambassador to Islamabad Mashallah Shakeri said the Islamic Republic has so far sent more than 400 tons of humanitarian supplies including tents, blankets, food and medicine to Pakistan.