TEHRAN – The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) medical centers abroad provided humanitarian assistance and health-based services free of charge in less privileged areas, on the occasion of the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, marked from February 1-11.

The action was carried out in line with the society's humanitarian missions, aiming to extend health-based cooperation, improve public health, and develop ties between nations. Relief teams offered medical, preventive, and counselling services to vulnerable local communities, the IRCS website reported.

Local officials in some of these countries, as in Kenya, lauded the IRCS humanitarian efforts, highlighting the role of the society in promoting community public health.

Also, Sierra Leon Red Cross Society commended the IRCS humanitarian services and called for maintaining collaborative efforts and the exchange of expertise.

In June 2025, Sierra Leone Red Cross Society expressed interest in expanding cooperation with the IRCS in the treatment and rehabilitation sectors.

Sahr Christian Fayia, the president of the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society, and Kpawuru E.T. Sandy, the secretary general of the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society, held a meeting in the African country with Babak Mahmoudi, the chief of the IRCS rescue and relief organization, the IRCS reported.

The two sides discussed ways to broaden collaborations. They signed a memorandum of understanding, extending cooperation between the two societies for another 15 years.

Lauding the IRCS for providing health services to vulnerable people, the Sierra Leonean officials sought to deepen ties in the rehabilitation and educational fields. Given that Sierra Leone is a risk-prone country, they also called on the IRCS to share expertise and experiences in relief and rescue services as well as crisis management.

For his part, Mahmoudi highlighted activities of the IRCS to promote health services; boosting the export of pharmaceutical products, medical equipment, and supplies; expanding health, treatment, and rehabilitation services; providing educational services; and equipping a healthcare center to provide specialized services.

IRCS is a key humanitarian actor

In November 2025, Hossam Elsharkawi, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), highlighted the role of the (IRCS) as one of the region’s and the world’s key humanitarian actors.

Lauding the IRCS efforts, Elsharkawi congratulated Pirhossein Kolivand’s re-election as the head of the IRCS, saying that the IRCS decisions are highly effective at international levels, IRNA reported.

The official made the remarks in an online meeting with Kolivand. During the meeting, the two officials discussed ways to foster collaborative efforts, develop rescue systems to enhance the country’s preparedness and response capabilities, and conduct international meetings and conferences in Iran.

The IRCS proposed hosting an international Islamic youth conference and the conference of leaders of national societies from Islamic countries.

The two sides also emphasized the need to implement the previously signed memoranda of understanding between the two organizations to lay the ground for promoting educational, operational, and logistic collaborations.

The IRCS also suggested introducing an expert to follow up on managerial and technical cooperation with the Regional Office for MENA.

MT/MG