TEHRAN – The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) discussed ways to strengthen cooperation on refugees.
At a meeting in Tehran on Sunday, IOM Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Iori Kato, praised IRCS’ track record and strong capabilities in crisis response, saying the two organizations share common goals and can lay the foundations for expanding joint efforts.
He also expressed IOM’s desire to develop comprehensive cooperation with IRCS across multiple areas, particularly camp coordination and camp management, according to the IRCS website.
Pirhossein Kolivand, Director of IRCS, said that IRCS is ready to cooperate with IMO in the fields of education and health.
While in many other countries refugees are subject to abuse, in Iran they are treated with dignity. Mr. Kolliband further pointed out that refugee empowerment, including refugee education, is therefore a top priority for IRCS.
The official went on to say that Heral House (community-owned Red Crescent House) provides social and relief services to migrants and vulnerable groups across the country.
IRCS services for refugees
In 2024, IRCS collaborated with the International Committee of the Iranian Red Cross (ICRC) to implement a joint program to address the challenges faced by Afghan refugees and vulnerable Iranians living in the Golshahr district of Mashhad, northeastern Khorasan Razavi province.
“The efforts to provide primary health care and rehabilitation services to Afghan migrants and residents of Golshahr district are part of a joint program,” IRNA quoted IRCS International Director Razieh Arishvandi as saying.
Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in Iranian Calendar 1392 (2013-2014), IRCS and ICRC agreed to assist refugees in their rehabilitation.
“The program aims to provide basic health, mental health, education and social services. It also focuses on providing preventive and social assistance and reducing social harm to the target population,” she added.
The project was implemented in four provinces on the country’s eastern border after the arrival of Afghan migrants who left the country for Afghanistan’s new rule.
Landmine awareness project. Raise awareness of the dangers of landmines among foreigners crossing borders to return to their home countries. The International Humanitarian Law Project holds educational workshops to familiarize IRCS staff with the structure of international movements and humanitarian rights. IRCS programs to empower refugees include health projects that provide health services to pregnant women, people suffering from diabetes, hypertension, asthma, mental health disorders and physical disabilities.
MT/MG