TEHRAN –The head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) has urged the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to take effective measures to protect human rights in Gaza.

“Unfortunately, we are witnessing the worst humanitarian crisis that has resulted in death, injury, and displacement of many people, especially women and children, as the most vulnerable group of society as Israeli forces continue the large-scale attacks against civilians in the Gaza Strip,” IRCS head Pirhossein Kolivand wrote in separate letters to Kate Forbes, the president ICRC, and Mirjana Spoljaric, the president of the IFRC.

“News about the Israeli occupation forces deliberately targeting hospitals, Red Crescent centers, ambulances, healthcare staff, and Red Crescent relief teams in Gaza is unbelievable and disturbing.

The Iranian Red Crescent Society calls for an urgent solution to end the siege, to open safe routes to help people in need, to protect the medical staff, and to rescue civilians and those injured.

We believe that the International Committee of the Red Cross should protect international humanitarian law as its guardian and take immediate and operational action in support of civilians, and medical and health personnel.

Condemning the Israeli military attacks on the hospitals, Red Crescent centers, healthcare staff, and relief teams of the Red Crescent in Gaza, the Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran urges international communities to uphold their commitments based on the International Humanitarian Law in accordance with four Geneva Conventions and other agreements.

The Iranian Red Crescent Society, as one of the national societies that is always committed to fulfilling its humanitarian duties and helping the injured and the needy, declares its readiness to support and provide aid to the defenseless civilians in Gaza.”

Establishing a joint fund to help Gaza

On January 21, the IRCS suggested setting up a joint fund with other countries to provide aid to people in Gaza. He made the remarks in an address to the International Humanitarian Conference to Support Palestine which was held in Tehran.

Referring to the crimes committed by the Zionists in the Gaza Strip in the last one hundred days, he stated that the activities of the international organizations have become ineffective due to the barriers made by the Zionist regime. “If we fail to do something to help, history will judge us,” IRNA reported.

Exploring possible avenues to provide humanitarian aid, using humanitarian diplomacy to stop the war permanently, creating a joint financial fund, and declaring crimes against the Zionist regime were among the axes of the conference.

ICRC appreciates IRCS

In November 2023, Vincent Cassard, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Tehran, met with Kolivand, expressing gratitude to the Iranian Red Crescent Society for providing humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

IRCS cooperation in providing aid to Gaza is valuable and we are thankful to Iran for its assistance in this regard, he said, the IRCS website reported.

The officials also discussed partnership and joint efforts in assisting the people of Gaza.

“We are interested in cooperating with the Iranian Red Crescent Society to implement various joint missions in different fields including education, refugees, and immigration. The Iranian Red Crescent Society holds enormous potential that paves the way for expanding cooperation," Cassard said.

Moreover, Cassard expressed gratitude to the IRCS for their collaboration in areas such as mine clearance in the regions affected by the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s.

Kolivand, for his part, praised the president of ICRC for not withdrawing Red Cross personnel from Gaza.

 “This decision was a humanitarian one demonstrating the preservation of the Red Cross's identity. Despite being targeted by rocket fire, the Red Cross persevered and continued assisting the people of Gaza,” he added.

MT/MG