Iran to help rebuild flood-hit Pakistan

Iran is ready to dispatch humanitarian aid to Pakistan and help reconstruct its flood-ravaged regions, the Islamic Republic’s Interior Ministry says.

Iran’s Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar made the remarks on Friday on the sidelines of his tour of Iran’s headquarters for public donations to the flood-stricken people of Pakistan, IRNA reported.

He noted that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will visit the flood-hit areas in the near future.

The Iranian minister further pointed out that Iranian people have donated 400 tons of goods worth about $2 million to Pakistan.

“The government will dispatch aid to Pakistan worth $10 million. It is possible that during the president’s tour of Pakistan, the extent and scope of aid would be revised,” said Najjar.

An area of more than 160,000 square kilometers has now been ravaged by floods since heavy monsoon rains began falling in Pakistan in late July.

Earlier in August, Najjar had visited Pakistan as the head of a humanitarian mission assessing the needs of Pakistani people in order to facilitate the distribution of Iranian aid.

The Iranian Red Crescent Society has also voiced readiness to set up hospitals and community centers for victims of the worst floods in Pakistan’s history.

Floods have affected more than 20 million people in Pakistan.