TEHRAN – The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) is planning to send another shipment of aid, consisting of 15,000 tons of basic goods, medicines, food, and other essential equipment, to Lebanon and Gaza.

Since the beginning of Israeli attacks on Lebanon, the IRCS has dispatched several consignments of relief items to people affected by recent Israeli attacks.

The consignments, comprising over 12,000 tons of essential items, food, and medicines have already been dispatched to assist war-affected people, the IRCS website quoted Pirhossein Kolivand, head of the IRCS, as saying.

Since September 23, the Israeli army has been launching an unprecedented, intensive air attack on Lebanon.

According to the latest report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Lebanon, 2,867 people have been killed and 13,047 injured since October 8, 2023.

A total of 178 children have been killed and 1,173 injured. Meanwhile, 842,648 people are internally displaced.

Also, there were 36 attacks on healthcare facilities, with 85 health workers killed and 51 injured while on duty, between September 17 and October 31, according to the World Health Organization.

IRCS, UN to speed up aid delivery to Lebanon

On October 9, Kolivand and the UN Resident Coordinator of Iran, Stefan Priesner, held talks about the tragic situation in Lebanon and ways to speed up aid delivery to people impacted by war.

During the meeting, Kolivand condemned the brutal attacks of the Zionist regime on Gaza and Lebanon, the IRCS website reported. 

Referring to Israeli crimes, including targeting civilian areas, killing civilians, and attacking ambulances and rescue forces, hospitals, and health centers, the official warned about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Lebanon and the possibility of genocide. 

He called for the immediate intervention of the United Nations to bring an end to the attacks.

Kolivand also presented a report on the shipment of humanitarian aid by the Iranian Red Crescent Society to Lebanon.

Highlighting the urgent need of the Lebanese for medicine, medical equipment, food and essential items, Kolivand announced the IRCS readiness to dispatch more shipments of humanitarian aid. He also stressed the need for active participation and cooperation of the United Nations in the field.

Priesner, for his part, commended the efforts and humanitarian assistance of the IRCS to the people of Lebanon.

He regretted the unfortunate events in Lebanon and highlighted the need to send cash and non-cash aid to affected Lebanese. 

The official underscored the importance of ensuring the safety of aid workers in these areas.

MT/MG