TEHRAN –The head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), Pirhossein Kolivand, has held separate meetings with the president of the Emirates Red Crescent, Hamdan bin Zayed, and the president of the German Red Cross, Gerda Hasselfeldt.

The meetings were held on the sidelines of the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, which will be held from October 28 to 31 in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Iranian and German officials highlighted the need to develop joint humanitarian activities. 

“We look forward to promoting the capabilities of the onset teams of the Iranian Red Crescent Society by purchasing German rescue dogs, as well as jointly manufacturing smart prosthesis and rehabilitation tools like wheelchairs,” Kolivand noted.

Referring to the IRCS medical centers in different countries, Kolivand proposed establishing an Iranian-German hospital in Turkey and holding training courses in an earthquake simulation center.

The German official announced readiness to take part in an international conference which is scheduled to be held by the IRCS in the field of rehabilitation.

During the other meeting, the Emirates Red Crescent official stressed the need to enhance joint humanitarian activities.

Kolivand, for his part, highlighted merging capabilities to expand and provide better and more specialized services in the IRCS hospital in the United Arab Emirates. 

IRCS ready to boost co-op with other societies 

The IRCS has been always among the first societies to dispatch rescue forces and provide relief services in both national and international hazards, the IRCS website reported.

The IRCS looks forward to boosting cooperation with other societies to promote awareness, resilience, and capabilities of the societies in confrontation with disasters and the provision of relief services.

In May, Kolivand said the 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.

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

He highlighted the capabilities, dedication, and selflessness of the IRCS women, who work hard in different sectors.

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 resilience 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.

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.

MT/MG