BRASILIA, Brazil, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Brazil is sending humanitarian aid to earthquake-ravaged Iran, the second South American nation to do so, Brazilian officials said Wednesday.

Brazil´s foreign ministry said it would send one ton of medical supplies to treat injuries and ailments in the wake of the Dec. 26 earthquake near the city of Bam that killed upwards of 50,00 people.

"The delivery of aid is an expression of solidarity by the Brazilian people to Iranians at this time of pain and sadness," read a ministry statement.

Earlier this week, Argentina said it would contribute to the relief effort by sending tents, blankets and volunteers to Iran.

Argentina's willingness to help Iran comes as something of a surprise, as officials maintain that Iran was behind the bombings of the Israeli Embassy and the AMIA center in Buenos Aires during the 1990's.