Iranian administration to distribute food packages among needy families

Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 25

By Fatih Karimov - Trend:

The Iranian administration will distribute two food packages among needy families by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20).

Iran's Labor Minister Ali Rabiei said the food packages will be handed over to families which are suffering from low-protein and low-calorie diets, Iran's IRNA news agency reported on Jan. 25.

He added that 1.4 trillion rials (about $40 million) has been allocated for including white meat in the food packages.

Children who are suffering from malnutrition and pregnant women who are unable to receive high-protein diet are the main targets of the program, he noted.

Last year, the government distributed food packages for millions of citizens both to help those with low income and to try to lower inflation on food.

President Hassan Rouhani said the handouts are intended to 'ease the pressure' on Iranians and demonstrate some of the immediate benefits from the recent interim nuclear agreement with world powers.

All government employees and citizens earning less than five million rials a month are eligible to receive the food package.