Iran pledges US$ 200m for reconstruction of quake-hit areas

ISLAMABAD: Expressing his deep grief and sorrow over the loss caused by earthquake in the NWFP and AJK, Iranian Vice president in Executive Affairs Dr. Saeed Loo has said that Iran will provide the financial and technical assistance amounting to US $ 200 million to Pakistan for the reconstruction of the quake-hit areas in the second phase.

"We are with Pakistan in this worst tragedy that people are facing here and we have provided relief goods to the tune of US $ 500 million for the rehabilitation of the earthquake victims in the first phase," he stated this while addressing a press conference here on Saturday.

He said that we had also experienced the same tragedy two years ago when earthquake rocked some areas of the Iran and we could feel the sufferings of brotherly Muslim country Pakistan.

"I am here in Pakistan to convey the sympathies to Pakistan and its nation from Iran and its people," he added.

He said that the discussion was in progress in the cabinet of Iran to give 200 million dollars for the reconstruction of the earthquake-hit areas and it would be provided soon to Pakistan.

He said that response of Iran was quick after areas of Pakistan was jolted by earthquake and rescue and medical teams were sent immediately to Pakistan to participate the rescue activities in quake-hit areas.

"We have sent relief goods for the rehabilitation of the affected families to the tune of 500 million dollars so far and the more relief goods will be sent as Iranian Red Crescent had been asked to finalize the lists of relief goods," he added.

He said that he had brought as many as one thousand tents and he had assured the President general Pervez Musharraf to give ten thousand more tents to provide shelters to the affected people.

He said that medical and relief teams of the Iran were working in the affected areas and they would continue their activities till the rehabilitation and mobile hospitals were engaged in providing the medical assistance to the injured people.

Replying to the question, he said that Iran was ready to send helicopters for relief operations in the quake-hit areas and it depended on the request from Pakistan side.

He said that Iran was ready to allow using its territory for the transport carrying relief goods for the earthquake victims.

He offered to build hospital for the artificial limbs if the government of Pakistan was ready to give land for the building. "We will make building and other material used in artificial limbs," he added.

He said that government of Iran was mobilizing the NGOs, provincial and local governments to raise funds for the earthquake victims of Pakistan.