AID

These are some of the Iranian American organizations who have received special permission from the US government to send aid to earthquake victims in Iran's Azarbaijan region. Pass on to all who would like to help.

NIAC Applauds General License for Earthquake Assistance

NIAC strongly applauds the White House for issuing a temporary general license authorizing charitable organizations to provide direct humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to the victims of the earthquakes in northwest Iran.

“This humanitarian gesture will empower the American people to help Iranians who’ve lost everything to this terrible natural disaster,” said NIAC assistant policy director David Elliott. “The White House should be commended for ensuring that emergency relief efforts won’t be held hostage to the bad relations between the two countries.”

The White House’s decision comes after thousands of Americans, 14 members of Congress, and a broad coalition of organizations wrote to the President urging him to issue a general license exempting humanitarian relief efforts from sanctions on Iran. President Bush issued a similar sanctions waiver after a devastating earthquake hit Bam, Iran in 2003.

"The onus is now on the Iranian government to put the wellbeing of its people first and eliminate all obstacles for delivering aid to the Iranian people,” Elliott said.

Even though the Iranian government has refused formal aid from the U.S. government, the general license will enable U.S. nongovernmental organizations to provide humanitarian assistance directly to the Iranian people.

Last week, NIAC worked closely with Congressman Kucinich (D-OH) to advance a letter urging President Obama to issue such a general license and for the “administration to provide public guidance that financial institutions are permitted and encouraged to facilitate all legal transactions that have been licensed by the U.S. Government.” As that letter made clear, the Obama Administration should encourage financial institutions to facilitate all OFAC-licensed transactions like relief assistance, so that these efforts are not blocked by banks that are overzealously applying the sanctions.

“This general license means that more organizations will be able to provide emergency assistance more quickly” said Elliott.

There are a number of nonprofit organizations working to provide disaster assistance, including Moms Against Poverty, Relief International, Children of Persia, Child Foundation, and Iranian American Muslim Association of North America (IMAN).

Bita Daryabari To Match Donations to Earthquake Victims

PAAIA. - In an act of true generosity, Bita Daryabari, Founder and CEO of Pars Equality Center announced yesterday that she will match donations made to Pars Equality Center for the victims of the recent earthquake in northwestern Iran. “Over 50,000 people have been moved to emergency camps. In these devastating conditions, with all we have to be thankful and grateful for, it is easily incumbent upon us to come together and help,” Ms. Daryabari said.   “It is easily incumbent upon us to come together and help. The organization has selected Relief International as its chosen partner for this endeavor. “

Relief International has had a presence in Iran for a number of years and is one of the few organizations who were recently granted a license (#IA-2012-296528-1) by the Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control to provide emergency tents and supplies that would shelter survivors from night chills. Click here to make a tax deductible donation into Pars Equality Center's larger Relief International pool set up for this purpose.  Please designate the donation for "Iran Earthquake".

In addition, today, a coalition of Iranian American organizations, including PAAIA, sent a letter to President Obama, thanking him for issuing a general license to enable the Iranian American community to more efficiently provide assistance to the victims of the earthquake in Iran. In addition to PAAIA, the letter was signed by Child Foundation, Children of Persia, Hand Foundation, Iranian Alliances Across Borders, Iranian American Muslim Association of North America, Moms Against Poverty, National Iranian American Council, United For Iran, and West Asia Council. To add your signature to this thank you letter, click here.

PAAIA will continue to provide updates regarding relief efforts for the earthquake victims.

HELP Earthquake Survivors in Iran

Relief International: The Gifts Of Shelter, Education And Microcredit Are The Gifts Of A Community's Future.

Two devastating earthquakes struck Iran last week killing hundreds, destroying homes, and disrupting communities. 50,0000 people have been moved to camps. In these devastating conditions, a small amount of money can go a long way.

Relief International is providing emergency tents and supplies, sheltering surivivors from night chills. Ensuring children's education continues and to overcome the trauma of the tragedy, Relief International is providing Library Kits to teachers in the camps. When families begin to return to their villages, microcredit loans provide a chance to put their livelihoods back on track.

You Can Help:

- $250 provides a tent for one family.
- $350 provides a loan toward a self-sustaining livelihood.
- $500 provides a library in a box.

Relief International is proud to be the holder of a Treasury Department OFAC license (#IA-2012-296528-1).

Join us in providing assistance to the earthquake-stricken people of Iran.

Emergency Tabriz Earthquake Fund

Child Foundation: The efforts of the recently formed coalition of Iranian-American organizations, including Child Foundation, have resulting in OFAC issuing a general license for cash to be sent for the sole purpose of earthquake relief. This means we can now send your donations directly to help the victims of the earthquake! Click here to read the letter issued by the US government.

AZERBAIJAN - IRAN Earthquake Relief Fund

MAP: Good News! Mom's Against Poverty just received a Special Earthquake Relief Permit from OFAC! Now, we can legally send funds to Iran specifically for earthquake relief. Donate here.

Urgent Message to Our Donors and Supporters

Children of Persia: US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has just issued a general license for earthquake relief in Iran

We are very happy to announce that our attempts and hard work, in collaboration with other Iranian-American organizations, in asking US Office of Foreign Assets Control for a general license to provide assistance to the victims of earthquake did finally pay off, and on Aug. 21, 2012, OFAC issued a 45-day general license for US-based NGOs, such as Children of Persia, to collect and send funds for humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts for earthquake victims in Iran.

To read the license in full, please clich here

How can you help?

Children of Persia is dedicated to providing assistance to the victims of the earthquake tragedy. Now that the OFAC has issued a general license for this specific case, we will be collecting the funds for the earthquake victims.

Please send your tax deductable donation here.