TEHRAN- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) have welcomed signing a five-year memorandum of understanding in order to give a boost to bilateral ties.

Within the framework of ICRC duties, the memorandum could be greatly helpful in better responses to crises, ISNA quoted Robert Mardini, ICRC director general, as saying. 

"IRCS and the ICRC can play a complementary role in many fields," he added.

He made the remarks in a meeting in Geneva on September 13 with Yaqoub Soleimani, the secretary general of IRCS.

All activities relating to the principles of the International Red Cross, international humanitarian rights, and its promotion are the basis of this cooperation, Mardini noted.

Referring to the IRCS as a reliable partner in West Asia, the ICRC official emphasized: "Our cooperation and partnership with IRCS is very important and valuable because of its vast and extensive knowledge and experience in dealing with immigrants, refugees, and victims of war."

Soleimani, for his part, welcomed the signing of the five-year memorandum of understanding and considered it to be a roadmap for more cooperation and interaction between the Iranian Red Crescent Society and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

He stressed IRCS's capabilities and capacities to serve the immigrants including over five million Afghan immigrants who have access to necessary facilities in education and health.

He pointed out, "Despite the problems caused by sanctions, IRCS has made great efforts to promote immigrants' well-being."

Soleimani went on to say Iran is prone to natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and the adverse consequences of climate change, drought, etc. So, he reemphasized the importance of increasing the resilience of society in the face of these disasters.

He said: "Today, the world is faced with countless humanitarian challenges. Therefore, it is necessary for the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Society to support the role of National Societies in local community education.”

He appreciated ICRC's support of public education in areas of Iran that are contaminated by mines and explosives and asked them to continue providing education in war-affected areas.

IRCS among strongest communities

The IRCS, established in 1922, is one of the first and oldest members of the movement and is currently one of the top societies in the world due to its significant activities in the national and international arenas.

In 2005, the IRCS received the Henry Davison Award for outstanding humanitarian services, and the IRCS initiative of volunteers was selected as the best project (out of 50 projects from 45 national societies), by the General Assembly of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

In March 2022, in a meeting with Pir- Hossein Kolivand, IRCS head, Francesco Rocca, the president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, expressed satisfaction with the high number of volunteers of the IRCS worldwide and said that IRCS is one of the strongest communities in the world, which brings hope back to people’s lives after every incident.

Stating that IFRC will support the IRCS in implementing its programs, he announced readiness to strengthen the Iranian Red Crescent Society's relations with other national communities because those communities can use Iran's experience and knowledge to deal with and prevent the incidents

Recent services

In September, the IRCS sent a consignment of relief items as an aid to those affected by the devastating flood in Libya.

Also, the IRCS announced readiness to assist Morocco in the ongoing relief operations following the powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the North African country, on September 8.

In August, the IRCS organized the third international congress on health in Arbaeen in Tehran.

Rocca, appreciating IRCS efforts, said, “The role of the Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran, a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), in providing relief and rescue activities during one of the largest religious gatherings is of utmost importance.”

Moreover, the IRCS manages several hospitals, polyclinics, as well as hemodialysis and rehabilitation centers in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

The centers are self-governed and their humanitarian activities are funded by receiving the costs of medical services from patients and collecting aid from philanthropists.

MT/MG