The U.S. has temporarily lifted sanctions against Iran to allow American non-governmental organizations to transfer money into Iran to assist in their earthquake recovery.

The move will allow American NGOs to transfer up to $300,000 into Iran until Oct. 5. To transfer more than $300,000, an NGO will need an additional special license from the U.S. treasury. Two earthquake struck villages in northwest Iran on Aug. 11, killing more than 300 people. The Iranian government was criticized by citizens and local politicians for its immediate response to the earthquake in the rural villages.

Displaced Minot-area residents who are relying on FEMA housing following the 2011 flood will likely be granted a six-month extension, according to the head of FEMA.

The promise was made in a conference call between FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate and North Dakota’s congressional delegation. The announcement will supposedly be made once the agency decides on a policy to donate or sell the units when the mission is completed. With the extension, residents will stay in FEMA housing until June 2013 instead of December 2012.

According to the article, FEMA plans to sell the housing units or donate them to local non-profits in order for the housing to remain in the Minot-area. Following Hurricane Katrina, trailers and mobile homes donated to the Gulf region found themselves all across the country following government auctions that sold the housing units at an extreme discount.

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