TEHRAN –The head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) has suggested setting up a joint fund with other countries to provide aid to people in Gaza.

Referring to the crimes committed by the Zionists in the Gaza Strip in the last one hundred days, Pirhossein Kolivand 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.

Kolivand made the remarks in an address to the International Humanitarian Conference to Support Palestine which was held in Tehran today.

Appreciating South Africa for suing Israel to the International Court of Justice, he added, “We will also declare a war crime against the Zionist regime.”

Killing civilians, attacking hospitals, and targeting medical staff are part of Israel’s war crimes.

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.

During the conference, the vice president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Manuel Bessler, for his part said aid groups and relief organizations should be coordinated and united to help Gaza.

Elaborating on Israel’s crimes, Bessler stressed the need for a ceasefire.

Delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza needs to be increased. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies as global actors focus on three main issues: providing vital assistance to civilians,  saving their lives, and safety based on international laws.

Women, children and the elderly are looking for safe places, and the frontline actors providing aid to Gaza must fulfill their duty in this regard, he added.

Bressel went on to say that, relief organizations in Gaza are in difficult and dire situations; Gaza needs more humanitarian aid. The shortage of fuel and lack of ambulances have made it much more difficult to provide aid in Gaza.

Stressing the importance of finding an immediate response to the situation in Gaza, he said this is not a political issue, but political solutions can be used to address the problems.

ICRC appreciates IRCS for providing aid to Gaza

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.

No government is allowed to target rescue workers or expel Red Cross troops. If the Red Crescent Society and the Red Cross are not defended today, more aid workers will be killed in the future. These crimes will be recorded in history and we will all be judged, Kolivand explained.

We must document human rights violations by the Zionist regime and declare crimes against the regime in international courts.

Currently, providing aid to Gaza is our priority. Unfortunately, some have dual opinions or are affected by political issues, whereas the true priority should be assisting the vulnerable children and women in Gaza,” Kolivand expressed.

He went on to say that substantial humanitarian aid consisting of medicines, food, and tents, weighing 10,000 tons, has been provided by the Iranians and is ready to be dispatched to Gaza.  

He also expressed willingness to collaborate with the Red Cross in all areas and share its scientific knowledge with other Red Crescent societies.

The ICRC initiated its operations in Iran in 1977. Throughout the Iran-Iraq war, their efforts primarily centered on visiting war prisoners, delivering assistance to prisoners and refugees, conveying the Red Cross messages, and acting as a neutral intermediary to repatriate sick and injured prisoners.

During the period of 2001 to 2010, the IRCS established offices in Mashhad, Urmia, and Kermanshah in order to provide assistance with their logistical operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Currently, the ICRC is engaged in its operations within the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Iran helps Gaza in ‘any possible way’

On November 28, the IRCS corresponded with the International Committee of the Red Cross as well as the red crescent societies of Egypt, Russia, Iraq, and Jordan to assist people in Gaza in any possible way.

In the 158th session of the Supreme Council of the Red Crescent Society, Kolivand elaborated on the activities of the IRCS in supporting the oppressed people of Gaza, IRNA reported.

He added the IRCS has conducted national and international follow-ups since the very beginning of the conflict in Gaza.

Kolivand went on to say that a video conference meeting was also held with 86 national societies and the violation of humanitarian laws was explained in the meeting. Finally, it was decided to declare the Zionist regime criminal for violating human rights in Gaza through international forums.

MT/MG