New Zealand announces humanitarian aid to Ukraine and economic sanctions against Iran

Sydney (Australia), December 14 (EFE).- After a virtual speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, New Zealand announced this Wednesday additional funding for humanitarian aid to Ukraine and new sanctions against Iran in support of Russia. In Wellington Parliament.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced in Parliament today that humanitarian aid – three million New Zealand dollars ($1.9 million or 1.8 million euros) – would be provided by the International Committee of the Red Cross. His speech has been published on the government website.

The money will cover winter needs such as medical supplies and equipment, transformers and generators to deal with power outages, and food, water and sanitation and hygiene items for vulnerable families in Ukraine.

“The UN currently estimates that 17.6 million people in Ukraine, including 3.2 million children, will need humanitarian assistance by 2023, excluding those displaced to neighboring countries,” Ardern explained, adding that “harsh winter conditions and the destruction of critical infrastructure are creating the basis for untenable living conditions.”

The Labor leader also said his government had announced new sanctions this Wednesday against Iran for supplying drones used to kill or injure civilians.

Among those admitted were two commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Sayed Aghajani and Amir Ali Hajizadeh, as well as the chief of the armed forces’ general staff, Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, and drone manufacturer Shahid Aviation Industries.

“(Iran) is the third country sanctioned under the sanctions against Russia, Russia and Belarus,” Ardern said, thanking New Zealand this morning, after a virtual speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Given to his country against Russian “aggressive invasion”.

“Some dictators and occupiers always fail to understand that the strength of the free world lies not in someone becoming big or filling themselves with missiles, but in everyone knowing how to come together, act decisively, and make unique contributions to the common cause.” said the President of Ukraine.

“Perhaps the time has come for your country to make that unique contribution,” he said, asking for support for a plan he presented at the G20 summit in Indonesia to end the Russian invasion that began on February 24 at the behest of the Russian president. Vladimir Putin.

New Zealand has sent veterans training, immigration facilities, medical equipment and personnel, humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and has supported efforts to impose hundreds of sanctions and bring those responsible to justice. Invading Ukraine before the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity. EFE

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