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Unblock Relief for Earthquake Victims
12-Aug-2012
You can now help call on the President to issue a sanctions waiver to allow U.S. relief organizations to aid to the earthquake victims in Iran. It just takes a minute: take action here.
Yesterday, earthquakes struck Tabriz and Ahar and, according to reports from Iran, killed at least 250 people and injured over 2,000.
The National Iranian American Council is reaching out directly to humanitarian organizations to determine what is the state of humanitarian relief efforts and how best Americans can support these efforts. We will keep you updated regarding what channels are available to provide financial and humanitarian support in the wake of this disaster.
Given current U.S. sanctions on Iran, there are serious concerns that humanitarian relief will be hindered. NIAC is in direct contact with officials in the White House, Treasury Department, and State Department and is urging for a general license to be issued to exempt relief efforts from current U.S. sanctions. Officials have provided assurances that the U.S. Government is actively looking into and preparing for the most appropriate response.
In 2003, following the earthquake in Bam, the Bush Administration issued a general license to enable relief organizations to provide services in Iran. NIAC strongly supports a similar and hopefully more robust effort by the Obama Administration today. The Obama Administration should take all steps necessary to ensure that relief efforts are not obstructed due to the dispute between the U.S. and Iranian governments.
Given that sanctions have dramatically escalated since 2003, restrictions on humanitarian relief are even greater today. Therefore, more robust steps by the U.S. government may be necessary to allow humanitarian transactions--particularly financial transactions to support relief work.
Under current U.S. sanctions it is legal to donate food and medicine directly to Iran under an existing humanitarian exemption. Efforts to send these goods have been obstructed due to confusion about the law and over enforcement of the sanctions. Banks, drug companies, and reportedly even the U.S. Postal Service have been unwilling to facilitate and send such items. However, in our discussions with Treasury it has been made explicit that such transactions are indeed legal and we are urging Treasury to take additional steps necessary to ensure private and public entities are not blocking legal transactions.
Further information regarding how relief efforts can be supported, how direct relief can be sent to Iran, and what steps the U.S. Government is taking in this regard will be made available as soon as possible.
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Signed
by aghadaryoosh on Mon Aug 13, 2012 09:45 AM PDTSigned
Several pictures of the earthquake disaster.
by Esfand Aashena on Mon Aug 13, 2012 06:05 AM PDTPics 1, Pics 2, Pics 3, Pics 4, Pics 5, Pics 6, Pics 7.
Earthquake is the worst of natural disasters. There is no warning, none, and even if you make it alive, your entire world is changed. Your house, home of your lifetime is gone and it's just you and the clothes on your back.
Pics of crowds in Tehran lining up to give blood in aid of the earthquake victims. Pics 1, Pics 2, Pics 3.
Everything is sacred
FYI/ Iran 'ignores' earthquake threat to nuclear plants
by Darius Kadivar on Mon Aug 13, 2012 02:55 AM PDTIran 'ignores' earthquake threat to nuclear plant - Telegraph
Bushehr Nuclear Plant Located in Earthquake-Prone Iran - YouTubesigned.
by MOOSIRvaPIAZ on Mon Aug 13, 2012 01:28 AM PDT.
Where did well over 100 BILLION dollars go? A disgraced system.
by Zorumbaa on Sun Aug 12, 2012 08:54 PM PDTVery nice and honorable initiatives NIAC, take a clear stand vis-à-vis IRR, and clearly explain that to people. The cancer, the big tumor must be removed; earthquakes and natural disasters can and do happened at any time, any place. A proud nation should not beg this or that and be at the mercy of anyone for basic medicine and blankets and resources for a disaster of this nature while over 100 BILLION dollars has gone to the coffers of evil from selling the nation’s oil only. It is a disgrace that and now they cannot even provide basic emergency help to the human being in distress. This is the time to be sympathetic, share in grief and also LOOK AT THE FAILURE of a bankrupt system.
I am not sure if humanitarian assistance and medicine and general pharmaceuticals are subject to sanctions anyway, I appreciate to be corrected if needed. And BTW, I have already contributed and done the best that I could to help the victims, the way I now is effective and help directly gets where is needed. I am signing but for entirely different reason.
Signed
by Hafez for Beginners on Mon Aug 13, 2012 12:53 PM PDTThis isn't about NIAC or SH-MIAC or any other "AC": This is about getting US AID through + the legal restrictions lifted. If you don't want to sign the NIAC letter - write directily to the White House. Just do something.
signed
by iraj khan on Sun Aug 12, 2012 08:03 PM PDT..
.
by bambi on Sun Aug 12, 2012 07:51 PM PDTsigned
Signed.
by Ari Siletz on Sun Aug 12, 2012 07:46 PM PDT.
No need to go through NIAC, do it direct, once IRI allows
by IranFirst on Sun Aug 12, 2012 07:40 PM PDTThere is no need to go through NIAC, CASMII, or other pro IRI groups to get help to Iran.
First, IRI has NOT asked for help from International organizations yet. until they do so, help can not be sent.
Once/if they aske for it , help through Canadian Red Cross . They are monitoring the situation and getting ready
//ht.ly/cUK5i
Their phone number is: 1-800-418-1111
//www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=136&tid=001
Signed
by Azadeh Azad on Sun Aug 12, 2012 06:59 PM PDTPeople in distress come first!
"signed"
by مآمور on Sun Aug 12, 2012 06:55 PM PDThopefully, many more comments will use the same term!!
I wear an Omega watch
Signed
by Hafez for Beginners on Sun Aug 12, 2012 06:50 PM PDTSigned: Because Earthquakes aren't time for "politics."
SIGNED
by UnitedIran on Sun Aug 12, 2012 06:17 PM PDTNO BETTER CAUSE!!!
Signed!
by Roozbeh_Gilani on Sun Aug 12, 2012 04:56 PM PDTI agrre and work with any entity in order to help my people and my country Iran at this particular times of hardship and crisis, even NIAC.....
"Personal business must yield to collective interest."
.
by First Amendment on Sun Aug 12, 2012 04:37 PM PDTI didn't care under whose logo I signed........I would have done it even if it was initiated by let's say the United Movement of Zionists ....or whatever......Damn it, when it comes to humanity, just sign it....
Signed
by Zendanian on Sun Aug 12, 2012 04:37 PM PDTA worthwhile initiative, at the right time for the right reason, thanks.
Signed - thanks
by MM on Sun Aug 12, 2012 04:29 PM PDT.
NIAC lobby showboating
by Fred on Sun Aug 12, 2012 04:17 PM PDTThis is NIAC lobby trying to get some mileage for their failed anti-sanction, lets do “grand bargain” with the Messianic Islamist Rapist regime.
NIAC lobby tried this same tactic during Bam disaster. All NIAC lobby did back then was sending its employees there for sightseeing and nothing else and claimed otherwise.
The best way to help Iranians is to help them with regime change and NOT as NIAC lobby wants to keep their oppressors in power.
Signed
by Jahanshah Javid on Sun Aug 12, 2012 04:14 PM PDTThank you for your effort.