Saving lives amid armed conflict: Iranian Red Crescent Society responded swiftly to humanitarian needs during recent hostilities

They also toured the local IRCS branch in Hamedan, where Cassard remarked: “I commend the courage and dedication of the IRCS staff who, from the earliest hours of the escalation, were at the forefront – rescuing the injured and trapped, providing life-saving care, assisting the civilian population to cope with the humanitarian impact of the hostilities, and ultimately putting their own lives at risk in these trying conditions. I offer my deepest condolences for the loss of IRCS volunteers. Aid workers must be respected and protected. We stand firmly alongside IRCS, ready to support their humanitarian action in line with our mandate and working modalities.” 

The IRCS’s response has been supported by the ICRC, which recently completed delivery of almost 170 tons of humanitarian supplies to replenish stocks depleted during the conflict. The supplies are sufficient to enable setting up five pre-hospital clinics to treat nearly 30,000 wounded individuals or meet the needs of 250,000 people for one month.  

“In line with its mandate, the ICRC has delivered four consignments of medical materials and non-food items to support the IRCS’s humanitarian activities,” Cassard said. He added that the ICRC remains in close contact with the IRCS to address any emerging needs. 

Praising the IRCS response, Cassard noted that its volunteers and staff had been providing “critical assistance to those affected by the ongoing hostilities, often at grave risk to their lives.”