TEHRAN – The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) said it is ready to send relief teams and humanitarian aid to assist Indonesians affected by floods.
Heavy rains from November 22 to 25 caused severe flooding and landslides in Aceh, West Sumatra and North Sumatra, forcing thousands of people to evacuate. Priority relief efforts will focus on search and rescue operations to meet the basic needs of displaced populations, restore access to isolated areas, and accelerate the distribution of relief supplies by land and air.
More than 900 people have been killed in devastating floods and landslides on Indonesia’s Sumatra island, the country’s disaster management agency announced on Saturday, according to NAMPA. The latest update brings the death toll to 908, with 410 people still reported missing.
In a letter to Indonesian Red Cross President Yusuf Kalla, IRCS Director Pirhossein Kolivando announced the organization’s readiness to provide relief assistance to Indonesia.
The full message is below:
“The Iranian Red Crescent Society salutes and greets you, your colleagues and the dedicated volunteers of the Indonesian Red Cross Society.
With great sadness, we have learned that severe flooding and landslides have occurred in Indonesia, which have unfortunately claimed hundreds of lives, left many missing, and caused extensive damage to homes, infrastructure and transport routes across the country. We are deeply shocked and saddened by this tragic disaster and the suffering it has caused to the people of Indonesia.
The Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran hereby declares its readiness to support you in this difficult time and to extend our deepest sympathies to His Excellency and the Indonesian Red Cross Society, as well as to the families and victims of this tragic disaster, and to send relief teams.
We wish you and your colleagues continued strength and health and success in your noble humanitarian endeavors. ”
Catastrophic floods and landslides caused by intensifying cyclones and seasonal monsoons are devastating communities across South and Southeast Asia, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Since November 17, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia have been the hardest hit, facing record rainfall, storm surge and widespread flooding.
IRCS is a key player in humanitarian assistance
In November, Hossam Elshaqawi, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), highlighted the role of IRCS as one of the key humanitarian actors in the region and the world.
According to a report by IRNA, El-Sharkawy praised the efforts of IRCS, said that IRCS decisions are very effective at the international level, and congratulated Pirhossein Kolivand on his re-election as IRCS Director-General.
The official said in an online meeting with Kolliband on Thursday. During the meeting, the two officials discussed ways to foster cooperative efforts, develop rescue systems to strengthen the country’s preparedness and response capabilities, and hold international conferences and conferences in Iran.
MT/MG