Pakistan sends humanitarian aid to flood-hit Iran

Consignment comprising two shipments contains 500 tents, 3300 blankets and emergency medical kits

The National Disaster Management Authority, on the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan, has dispatched a load of over 32 tonnes in humanitarian assistance to flood-hit Iran.

The consignment comprising two shipments contained 500 tents, 3300 blankets and emergency medical kits, said a statement issued by Pakistan's Foreign Office.

The first shipment was dispatched to Iranian city of Ahwaz, on Wednesday.

"Pakistanis stand by their Iranian brethren at this difficult time and as a brotherly country Islamabad decided to assist its neighbour by sending humanitarian aid to supplement Iran’s own relief efforts," read the official communique.

The statement came a day after Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi telephoned Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif to convey the grief of the government and the people of Pakistan on the situation created by unprecedented flash floods.

On Sunday, PM Imran had prayed for the safety of Iranian people after authorities issued flood warnings.

Our prayers go to the people of Iran as they deal with unprecedented flooding. We stand ready to provide any humanitarian assistance required.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 7, 2019

Flash floods in the neighbouring country have so far claimed over 70 lives, destroyed infrastructures and displaced thousands of people.