Through rubble and loss, Iranian Red Crescent teams keep saving lives

Country: Iran (Islamic Republic of) Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies As hostilities continue to escalate across Iran, civilians are bearing the brunt of the violence, with attacks reported across 30 out of 31 provinces. In less than a month, more than 2,000 people have been killed, including women and children, and at least 21,000 injured. Many families have been forced to flee their homes, with an estimated 3 per cent of Iran’s population of around 92 million now internally displaced. Homes, neighbourhoods and essential services have been damaged, placing growing pressure on hospitals, shelters, and basic infrastructure. At the forefront of the response, the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) has mobilized its nationwide network of volunteers and emergency teams to support affected communities, providing life-saving assistance in some of the hardest-hit areas. Rescue amid the destruction In the city of Salmas, in West Azerbaijan province, Iranian Red Crescent Society rescuers worked alongside the Fire Department after reports that someone was trapped beneath rubble following an attack. Specialized search and rescue teams carefully worked through the debris, eventually locating the person alive. The survivor was safely extracted and transferred for medical treatment. It is one of thousands of rescues carried out by IRCS teams since the escalation began, including children pulled from collapsed buildings and families reached in the immediate aftermath of attacks. An Iranian Red Crescent team carries out a search and rescue operation following an attack in Tehran. Photo: Iranian Red Crescent Society A nationwide humanitarian response From the earliest moments of the escalation, the Iranian Red Crescent Society mobilized at scale. Today, it remains the primary humanitarian actor in the country, with 529 branches activated across all 31 provinces and operations reaching 197 cities. Around 100,000 responders, including volunteers, medical teams and rescue personnel, are working around the clock to support affected communities. Search and rescue teams, ambulances, clinics, pharmacies and logistics units are all engaged in delivering life-saving assistance. So far, more than 3,500 people have been rescued from affected areas. At the same time, the response extends beyond immediate physical needs. Through a nationwide hotline, the Iranian Red Crescent has provided psychological and social support to people in distress, receiving more than 100,000 calls from across the country. In West Azerbaijan province, where families displaced by the hostilities have been relocated to emergency shelters, psychosocial support teams are present on site, with a particular focus on supporting children and families as they cope with trauma, fear and loss. Iranian Red Crescent psychosocial support teams spend time with children in emergency shelters, offering comfort and a sense of normalcy during the ongoing hostilities. Photo: Iranian Red Crescent Society Pressure, danger and loss Despite the scale of the response, the operating environment remains extremely challenging. Eighteen IRCS centres have been struck, and nearly 100 ambulances have been damaged or destroyed — critical assets in a context where they often represent the only chance of survival for those injured. Relief workers themselves have not been spared. Three IRCS members have been killed while carrying out their humanitarian duties, including Somayeh Mir Abu Es’haq, who lost her life during an attack while on duty in Isfahan Province , and Hamidreza Jahanbakhsh, who was killed earlier during a search and rescue operation, and Alireza Sohbatloo, who was killed in an attack while providing services at a Red Crescent clinic in Zanjan . As of 1 April 2026, at least 17 other colleagues have been injured while in the line of duty since the escalation began. For many responders, these challenges are not only operational, but deeply personal. In Qom, an IRCS first responder was confronted with the devastating reality of recovering his aunt and her husband from beneath the rubble, alongside a young child. Such moments reflect a broader truth. Many responders are not only witnessing tragedy, they are living it. It is a stark reminder of the burden carried by humanitarian workers, continuing to save lives under immense pressure, even while grieving their own loved ones. Continuing despite the challenges Despite the immense challenges, support continues to come from across the country, both through organized response efforts and individual acts of solidarity. A young barber, Alireza Kazemi, also known as Kenzo, has been volunteering his services to Iranian Red Crescent Society rescuers, offering haircuts to help lift morale during long and demanding shifts. “ I wanted them and their families to feel a bit better despite these conditions. I worked from 1:45 PM yesterday until 5:00 AM this morning to provide this service, and we will continue working to reach other area s,” he said. “ I was outside Iran, but when the escalation began, I felt the need to come back and provide my services here. I want to help my people in any way I can .” A child rescued following an attack finds comfort in the arms of an Iranian Red Crescent aid worker. Photo: Iranian Red Crescent Society Scaling up support for the response The IFRC and its network is supporting the Iranian Red Crescent Society by scaling up critical resources to sustain the response. An initial allocation of 1.5 million Swiss francs from the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) has enabled the rapid procurement of essential medical supplies and protective equipment for frontline responders. In addition, a 40 million Swiss franc Emergency Appeal has been launched to support up to 5 million people affected by the crisis. Through this appeal, the IFRC is providing operational support and facilitating international procurement and delivery of critical relief items. You can support the Iranian Red Crescent Society’s response and help reach more people in need by contributing to the IFRC Emergency Appeal here .
2026-04-02 07:03:05