TEHRAN – The Iranian Red Crescent Society and Qatar Red Crescent Society have explored the potential to develop bilateral cooperation.

The IRCS head, Pirhossein Kolivand, held an online meeting with the CEO of QRCS, Faisal Mohamad Al-Emadi, on Wednesday, the IRCS website reported.

The officials highlighted the significance of fostering cooperation to carry out humanitarian actions in the region.

During the meeting, Al-Emadi lauded the IRCS for its achievements and advancements, saying, “The Iranian Red Crescent Society is one of the top international organizations. The large number of its members and volunteers prove its capacities and competencies.”

Kolivand, for his part, elaborated on the potentials, and activities of the IRCS.

“Over 40,000 rescuers are providing services using 23 helicopters and a large number of ambulances, rescue vehicles as well as drones.

The society is also equipped with modern software which provides smart services,” he noted.

The society has more than three million members, 140,000 of whom are geniuses. It has medical centers in over 15 countries.

Physicians and specialists offer services in more than 200 rehabilitation centers. The IRCS pharmacies manufacture over 140 medications and medical equipment, orthoses, prostheses, and artificial organs.

Providing academic courses in universities, the society trains relief experts, and specialists, Kolivand further noted.

Referring to the establishment of crescent houses in remote areas, the official said members of the crescent houses hold educational programs to train individuals and enhance their resilience in the face of disasters.

They empower marginalized communities by creating job opportunities. Moreover, they provide mental and psychological support for traumatized individuals, Kolivand added.

In an effort to mitigate the impact of climate change, the society has planted over five million saplings.

The official also highlighted conducting successful international missions in Turkey, Syria, Afghanistan, Libya, and Pakistan.

He went on to add that IRCS currently chairs BRICS health working group.

IRCS is IFRC’s strongest member in region

On May 10, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) expressed willingness to expand collaboration with the Iranian Red Crescent Society.

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.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the preliminary session of the 34th IFRC international conference.

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.

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 has been formed to investigate the adverse impacts of sanctions.

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 the provision of 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