TEHRAN –Pirhossein Kolivand, the head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), in a meeting with Faisal Mahboob, the project manager of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and Vincent Cassard, the representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Iran, underscored the need for ceasefire in Lebanon and opening a safe way to help the war victims.

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

Referring to the conducted meetings with the officials of the Lebanese Red Cross and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, the official said, “Our efforts are directed towards supporting the people affected by war in Gaza and Lebanon,” the IRCS website reported.

Clearly, residential areas in Lebanon are being targeted by Israel while delivering aid is not allowed, he noted.

They practically do not let medical centers operate; the Zionist regime has targeted 11 paramedics in the past 72 hours, as well as the ambulances and rescue teams of the Lebanese Red Cross which has made the country facing challenging situations.

Many are trapped under rubbles while Israel has restricted search and rescue, displaced Lebanese are forced to go to Syria, but they are targeted in the border areas, Kolivand added.

ICRC and IFRC must condemn these attacks, take practical actions, and stand against Israel hindering rescue efforts.

Lebanese people are subject to genocide, blockade, and hindrance of humanitarian aid, serious action must be taken before Lebanon turns into another Gaza.

Many essential items including food, medicines, and medical tools should be sent to Lebanon and the ICRC should find a way to settle war refugees.

Protecting civilians, preventing violations of international humanitarian law, dispatching humanitarian aid, negotiating to stop the war, communicating with the international community, helping immigrants, opening a safe route for delivering assistance, and transferring those injured to safe places should be put on agenda.

ICRC and IFRC should provide health services and treatment to wounded and displaced individuals, educate them about infectious diseases. 

They should also provide mental and psychological support to conflict-affected individuals to increase resilience, and create coordination between the members of the IFRC and the IRCS  present in the region.

Cassard, for his part, lauded the IRCS timely presence in Lebanon as well as its efforts saying that the society has provided a lot of help to  Lebanese so far.

ICRC has long been in Lebanon making its best effort to provide help in emergencies and humanitarian crisis, said Cassard.

Negotiations to resolve conflicts are on the agenda and we are trying to alleviate the suffering of the conflict-affected Lebanese, he added.

During the meeting, Mehboob also commended the IRCS services and assistance provided to the people of Lebanon. 

The official said the Federation issued an international call last year to receive more contributions.

The collected money during the period amounted 200 million Swiss francs, which is allocated to Lebanon, Syria and Gaza.

Currently, red alert has been issued in Lebanon and providing humanitarian assistance to Lebanon is on the agenda. 

Mahboob pointed out that the situation in Lebanon is dire and all facilities have been mobilized to help the people of the country.

IFRCS and IRCS will enhance cooperation to increase assistance to the Lebanese war victims. However, it requires an international effort and an immediate ceasefire is essential.

IRCS ready to provide assistance

Following ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanon, the Iranian Red Crescent Society has set up a field hospital on the border of Lebanon and Syria.

Lebanon's Health Ministry said over 2,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon, including 127 children and 261 women.

The IRCS has also set up an emergency shelter for injured and displaced Lebanese people affected by the conflict, the IRCS website quoted Pirhossein Kolivand, the head of the IRCS, as saying.
Installed tents are equipped with basic goods and are capable of housing thousands of displaced individuals, he added.

Once the field hospital is equipped with essential tools and medicines, surgeries can be performed there, as well, the official noted.

The IRCS sent a consignment of relief items to people affected by Israeli attacks in Lebanon.

The humanitarian aid, including essential items and basic goods, was dispatched on October 4, IRNA quoted Kolivand as saying.

Kolivand along with Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi conducted a visit to Lebanon on Friday to observe the ongoing relief services there.

On September 25, Kolivand along with a team that encompassed 12 specialists and general practitioners, as well as 12 relief workers headed Lebanon, IRNA reported.

“The rescue team including optometrists are dispatched with the coordination of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the health ministry of Lebanon to provide humanitarian aid to those injured,” the IRCS website quoted Kolivand as saying.

The official also announced readiness to transfer injured people to Iran to receive further services if needed.

MT/MG