Tehran – Pirosin Koliband, head of Iran’s Red Crescent Society (IRCS), called on the World Health Organization (WHO) to reaffirm its commitment by taking immediate action to deal with Gaza’s devastating human crisis.
According to the IRCS website, Kolivand reported in a letter to Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus that Kolivand urgently requested “to promote the provision of medicines and humanitarian aid.”
“It is the moral and humanitarian obligation of international organizations to act promptly to save the lives of vulnerable civilians, especially children, pregnant women and sick people, as the world witnesses one of the most devastating humanitarian crises in the Gaza Strip,” the letter reads.
“As a corridor of blocked aid, innocent lives for millions of people, with a strong risk, according to well-documented official reports from reputable international organizations such as the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations Relief Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the humanitarian situation in Gaza is crumbling, refueling, refueling, burning, and burning. As a corridor of blocked aid, millions of innocent lives.
Under these dire circumstances, the Red Crescent Association of Islamic Republic of Iran, expresses full preparations to contribute to relief efforts, urging you and the World Health Organization to prioritize the next emergency action.
1. Supports immediate openings in humanitarian corridors for the delivery of pharmaceuticals, medical devices and healthcare workers.
2. Coordinate with relevant international organizations to ensure the safe and secure delivery of humanitarian assistance through protected corridors. and
3. Strengthen logistics and medical support for several remaining operational health centres and hospitals in Gaza.
Without a doubt, the organization’s active, fair and effective role in this critical situation can save thousands of innocent lives and rekinds in the hearts of countless families of suffering. ”
In another letter, Koliband spoke to his counterpart in Red Crescent Society. His letter, entitled “A Call for Emergency Action: Advocate for Immediate Government Intervention to Address Gaza’s Humanitarian Catastrophe,” called for immediate action to be taken to defend those affected by Gaza.
“On behalf of Iran’s Red Crescent Association (IRCS), I am writing to attract your urgent attention to the devastating humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza,” the letter reads.
“According to recent reports and statements from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UNRWA, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), is calling for immediate and coordinated humanitarian intervention, a state of crisis.
The destruction of hospitals and medical infrastructure significantly impairs the delivery of critical health services, further exacerbating the crisis. More than 50,000 children have been killed or injured, and thousands more suffer from severe malnutrition.
Since October 2023, it has reported more than 725 attacks on healthcare facilities. Hospitals such as Kamal Adwan, Indonesian Hospital, Hamad Hospital for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics, and Gaza Hospital in Europe have stopped health services due to their proximity to conflict zones, deepening humanitarian emergencies.
Women’s Health – Women who are pregnant and breastfeeding especially are at risk. UNICEF reports that since April 2025, 80 children have died of malnutrition, a tragic 54% increase in under three months, with children under five facing life-threatening malnutrition.
The IRC kindly encourages your National Association to reaffirm its important duties and take immediate steps to advocate for those affected. According to Article 2, Article 2 of the 1949 Geneva Convention, political parties are responsible for ensuring respect for the IHL and protecting the dignity of civilians caught up in armed conflicts. IRCS calls on your National Association to issue a public statement urgently, to actively engage the government and to apply strong diplomatic pressure, such as:
Stop all hostility and violence that affects Gaza’s civilians and humanitarian activities. Promoting unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid and health services. Hold the perpetrators accountable and end their immunity against international humanitarian law.
The ongoing crisis in Gaza is a reminder of our shared commitment to humanity. We must collectively defend peace, protection of human life, and alleviate suffering. Together, through principled humanitarian actions and effective government involvement, we can maintain the fundamental values that define the movement.
We reaffirm our solidarity with all the communities that have been impacted and your colleagues during these challenging times. ”
Also, a week ago, in a letter to the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Kolivand called for urgent action to end the torture of civilians, escalated by Gaza hunger.
Referring to reports from WFP and UNRWA, Kolivand said that about a quarter of Gaza’s population is facing hunger, with thousands of women and children dead due to malnutrition.
He also noted that Zionist troops were targeting civilians waiting in line for food.
The letter highlights Israel’s actions as a clear example of war crimes and as a clear violation of the principles of humanitarian law. The actions of the Israeli regime may fall under the International Criminal Court’s definition of genocide in the Roman law and the 1948 treaty.
Officials called on the ICRC to utilize all their capabilities to expand humanitarian diplomacy with responsible institutions and pave the way for humanitarian assistance to the region.
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