PAAIA Encourages OFAC License for Earthquake Relief Victims

On Saturday, August 11, 2012, two earthquakes registering at 6.4 and 6.3 magnitude respectively struck the northwestern area of Iran. The initial earthquake struck 60 km (37 miles) northeast of the city of Tabriz, followed by a second one 11 minutes later, measuring 6.3, near Varzaghan, 49 km (30 miles) northeast of Tabriz.   The quakes have left nearly 300 people dead, over 1,400 injured, and 16,000 homeless in their wake.

In response to this tragic event, PAAIA has been in contact with the White House and the Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) urging the issuance of a general license for humanitarian relief for the victims of this natural disaster.  We have also contacted the U.S. Department of State to encourage additional support for those impacted by these earthquakes.

As we have done previously, we are compiling information about the ways through which interested individuals can provide monetary and other support to the victims. We are in contact with the International Red Cross, Relief International, and other humanitarian aid organizations who may be sending material and technical assistance and supplies to the region devastated by the earthquake. We are also working collaboratively with other Iranian American organizations to provide consistent information and a unified response to this disaster.

PAAIA will provide additional information as it becomes available.