Stefan Priesner, the UN resident coordinator in Iran, said on 1/7 that aid to the country needs to be doubled following the conflict with Israel. "This is a significant increase," Priesner said. "It's a little early to say exactly how much we need, but I expect the budget to double."
Priesner said the UN's budget for humanitarian issues in Iran is 75 million USD and 25 million USD for development programs. He expressed hope that the current situation in Iran will encourage the international community to increase its support.
Iran is one of the countries hosting the largest number of refugees in the world, with about 3.5 million people, mostly from neighboring Afghanistan.
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An excavator clears the rubble of a building in Tehran, Iran on 26/6. Photo: AP |
An excavator clears the rubble of a building in Tehran, Iran on 26/6. Photo: AP
Priesner said the UN and the Iranian government in 2022 agreed on a five-year program in public health, socio-economic resilience, environmental protection, disaster mitigation and response, and drug control. The UN is discussing with Iran how to adjust the program to meet emerging needs following the conflict.
The UN usually deploys about 50 international staff and has 500 local staff in Iran. Some international staff and their families had to leave Iran after Israel began its attacks. However, the agency's operations in Iran have returned to normal since 29/6, Priesner said.
On 13/6, Israel launched Operation Roaring Lion, attacking Iran's nuclear facilities, military bases, critical infrastructure, as well as senior military commanders and nuclear experts. Iran then responded with Operation True Promise 3, repeatedly launching missiles and UAVs into Israel.
The fighting left more than 900 people dead and more than 4,700 injured in Iran, and 28 dead and more than 2,500 injured in Israel.
On the morning of 22/6, the US intervened in the conflict, sending bombers to attack three of Iran's nuclear facilities and then proposing negotiations with Tehran. President Trump announced a day later that Iran and Israel had agreed to a comprehensive ceasefire. On 24/6, Iran and Israel accepted the ceasefire, both portraying themselves as the victors.
Nguyen Tien (According to AFP, AP)
