IFRC seeks to boost co-op with IRCS

TEHRAN – The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) has expressed willingness to expand collaboration with the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS).

Holding a meeting on the sidelines of the 34th preliminary conference between the IFRC and Red Crescent, Razieh Alishvandi, the IRCS director for international affairs, and Xavier Castellanos Mosquera, the IFRC undersecretary general for national society development and operations coordination discussed ways to enhance cooperation.

During the meeting, Alishvandi elaborated on IRCS capabilities in various fields of sanitary, treatment, rehabilitation, rescue and relief, logistics, education, volunteers, youth, climate change, crescent houses, mass gathering management, textile production, medical organizations, and many other things.

Castellanos Mosquera, for his part, acknowledging that the IRCS is one of the strongest members of the IFRC, said the IRCS could be a role model for other societies.

“Hygiene and medical services provided during Arbaeen and Hajj pilgrimages and other mass gathering management are totally unique,” he said.

The official went on to ask the IRCS to share its expertise with IFRC by holding a webinar session and proposed the IFRC managers of different sectors, particularly logistics, and health, visit the IRCS medical equipment, artificial organ and prostheses production, and pharmaceutical companies, as well as rehabilitation centers to learn more about the IRCS experiences and knowledge.

“Despite the fact that the information of the Iranian Red Crescent Society has not yet been fully registered in the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent health map, the range of services provided by the organization at the national level has placed it among the top societies compared to 107 national societies that have registered their information, Castellanos Mosquera noted.

He also suggested the full membership of the IRCS in a think tank which is formed to investigate the adverse impacts of sanctions.

If all the national societies register the required information in the health map, it will be much easier to identify potential areas of cooperation between national societies, especially in the production and pharmaceutical sectors, which will actually bring about greater integration among international societies to provide more effective humanitarian services and reduce the effects of sanctions.

34th Intl. conference to be held

The International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent brings together representatives of the parties to the Geneva Conventions, Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, the IFRC, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), every four years.

The International Conference is a non-political forum for dialogue on humanitarian matters of common interest and has a longstanding role as one of the key international meetings for dialogue on the strengthening of disaster laws, policies, and plans.

Every International Conference since 2007 has adopted a resolution relevant to disaster law, including several resolutions that adopt or endorse guidance documents developed by IFRC Disaster Law.

The 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent will be held Between October 28-31, in Geneva, Switzerland under the theme, Navigate Uncertainty – Strengthen Humanity.

IRCS is a top organization nationally, internationally

The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) is recognized as one of the five prominent societies worldwide thanks to its wide range of activities and great achievements both nationally and internationally, Pirhossein Kolivand, the head of the IRCS, has said.

He made the remarks on Tuesday on the occasion of the World Red Cross Day which is celebrated on May 8.

The day celebrates the spirit of humanitarianism and recognizes the individuals who make a difference in their communities.

A total of 300 ambulances and 600 rescue vehicles have been purchased. It is planned to add 1,500 more rescue vehicles to the IRCS fleet, Kolivand stated.

Equipping mountain rescue bases, providing insurance for rescuers, and increasing their incomes were among the other measures to enhance the services.

“The Iranian Red Crescent Society has also been active and successful in international missions like helping earthquake victims in Syria and Turkey which made the organization receive the Turkish government’s award for its sacrifice and help,” he further noted.

The official attributed the organization’s achievements to the unwavering dedication of volunteers, whose number has already reached 3 million.

Initiatives to develop and empower Crescent houses in remote, deprived areas and enhance prevention and education programs are other parts of the society’s effort to expand its services.

The IRCS offers public education and relief services courses in universities, schools, seminaries, and barracks to improve the whole society’s resilient in the face of disasters.

Health, treatment, and rehabilitation are another part of the IRCS activities, the IRCS hospitals, pharmacies, and clinics meet the medical and therapeutic needs of thousands of citizens every day.

The IRCS medical centers abroad are reputable worldwide. Soon, the Red Crescent Medical Center will be opened in Tajikistan

As a humanitarian organization, the IRCS is trying to alleviate the suffering of the people involved in accidents, emergencies, and conflicts.

The most important issue these days is to help the victims of the war in Gaza.

So far, with the help of the people, 10,000 tons of health and medical items have been collected and delivered to the people in need in Gaza.

Referring to cooperation with knowledge-based companies, Kolivand said, “Today, collaborations with knowledge-based firms have resulted in advancements in manufacturing orthoses, prostheses, artificial organs, and new medications, with plans to extend cooperation to rescue and relief efforts as well.

Iran is IFRC’s strongest member in region

In July 2023, Hossam Elsharkawi, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), referred to Iran as the strongest member in the region.

“Among the 192 national Red Crescent and Red Cross societies around the world, the Red Crescent of the Islamic Republic of Iran has always been one of the most important and strongest societies and a reliable member of the Federation.”

The quick and effective presence of the Iranian Red Crescent Society in the rescue operations and then providing relief to earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria last winter shows the good preparedness of the IRCS in response to natural disasters, the IFRC official highlighted.

MT/MG