Press release of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development
Aids from the Holy Father to the populations affected by the floods in Iran, 12.04.2019
Over the past two weeks, violent floods have hit the north-eastern and southern regions of Iran and they are likely to continue on the coming days. The populations of the Golestan, Lorestan and Khuzestan provinces are the most affected and that of Kermanshah had already been severely put to the test by last year’s earthquake. Over 10 million people have suffered damage to their homes and property, while 2 million need urgent assistance. 77 victims and injured at least 1,070 casualties have been identified so far. Over 200,000 people have been evacuated from their villages and yesterday the Minister of Home Affairs also announced the evacuation of the city of Ahwaz. The structural damage to infrastructure and agriculture is huge.
Many countries are responding to calls for help with the coordination of Iranian Red Crescent Society and the UN Office in Teheran. Caritas Iran, which visited the flooded areas along with other organizations, is also doing its best to bring aid to the people.
The Holy Father, in the telegram of condolences sent by the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, expressed sorrow for the human victims and prayed for the staff involved in the emergency, entrusting the Iranian people to the providence of God Almighty. Pope Francis, through the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, also sent a contribution of 100,000 euros to help the population in this first emergency stage. This sum, which is an immediate expression of the Holy Father’s feeling of spiritual closeness to the people and territories affected by the floods, will be distributed, in collaboration with the Apostolic Nunciature, among the areas most affected by the catastrophe and will be used in relief work and assistance to people and territories.
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