Villagers wait for rescue at a flood-hit village in Khuzestan province, southwestern Iran, on April 6, 2019. (Xinhua/Ahmad Halabisaz)

RIYADH, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced on Friday a joint initiative to provide aid for flood victims in Iran, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The initiative, to be carried out by Saudi and UAE Red Crescent Authorities, aims to ease the suffering of the Iranians affected by the recent destructive and unprecedented floods, comes as part of the Islamic ties and humanitarian solidarity with Iranians, the two organizations said in a joint statement.

The Iranian authorities ordered this week nearly 70,000 people to flee their homes as floodwater poured into Ahvaz, capital city of the southwestern province of Khuzestan.