ICRC IFRC condole martyrdom of IRCS air worker
ICRC, IFRC condole martyrdom of IRCS air worker
TEHRAN – The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have expressed their condolence to the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) on the martyrdom of Hamidreza Jahanbakhsh, an aid worker of the IRCS, following the U.S.-Israeli aggression on the country.
Jahanbakhsh was a young aid worker who was deeply committed to providing relief services to people. Aged 24, Jahanbakhsh was martyred following an airstrike on March 8 in Isfahan province while performing a rescue operation to help those affected by the attack.
“It is with deep sadness that we received the tragic news of the passing of Mr. Hamidreza Jahanbakhsh, a first-class lifeguard and dedicated staff member of the Iranian Red Crescent Society from Isfahan, who lost his life while carrying out a search and rescue operation in Tiran-o-Korun, Isfahan province, on 8 March 2026.
On behalf of Middle East and North Africa Regional Office of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, I wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to you, to the leadership, volunteers, and staff of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, and most importantly to the family and loved ones of Hamidreza.
His courage and commitment to serving communities in moment of distress embody the very spirit of humanitarian action and the values of our Movement.
On behalf IFRC MENA Regional Office, I wish to reiterate our strong condemnation of any violence directed against humanitarian workers and volunteers, as well as against the services and infrastructures that support the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
Please be assured of our continued solidarity with the Iranian Red Crescent Society and our steadfast support for your vital humanitarian mission,” the IFRC Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Hossam Elsharkawi, wrote to the head of the IRCS, Pirhossein Kolivand.
Meanwhile, the Secretary General of the IFRC, Jagan Chapagain wrote on his X account: “The Red Crescent emblem is a symbol of protection, humanity, neutrality, and hope. Yet too often, our volunteers and staff are killed while performing life-saving work. This is unacceptable. We will never stop asking for the protection of humanitarian teams: This is a moral and legal obligation.”
Moreover, Vincent Cassard, the representative of the ICRC in Tehran, in a letter to Razieh Alishvandi, the IRCS deputy for international affairs, wrote: “On behalf of the ICRC delegation in Tehran, I extend our heartfelt sympathies to his family, friends, and all colleagues within the IRCS. He paid the ultimate price in service to humanity, and his dedication and courage will not be forgotten. Humanitarian workers should never be a target of violence in conflicts.”
Measures to safeguard medical, educational centers
Kolivand has urged the president of the ICRC, Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, to ensure the safety and security of medical and educational facilities during the U.S.-Israeli assaults against Iran.
In a letter to the ICRC official, Kolivand said: “I write with profound sorrow and grave concern to formally notify you of the joint attacks carried out by the Israeli regime and the United States of America against civilian, medical, rehabilitation, and educational facilities, which occurred on Monday (March 3) at 11:30 a.m. Tehran time, as well as in recent days in several cities across the country.
The IRCS strongly condemns, warns, and protests two aspects of these incidents: First, the killing of a number of schoolchildren during attacks on educational and sports facilities, including a girls’ school in Minab (Hormozgan province), and a stadium hosting a program for female students in Lamerd (Fars province).
Second, they targeted medical and rehabilitation facilities of the IRCS and other hospitals in the country, including the Peace Building of the Iranian Red Crescent, the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center of the Society, Vali-e Asr Hospital, Khatam al-Anbiya Hospital, Shahid Motahari Burn and Trauma Hospital, and centers affiliated with the State Welfare Organization.
These institutions operate exclusively for medical and humanitarian purposes in accordance with the Fundamental Principles of the Movement, provide services impartially and without discrimination.
The Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, reiterates its full adherence to the Fundamental Principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, and affirms that the affected facilities had no military use or function.
Accordingly, we respectfully request: A clear and formal public position condemning attacks against children, educational and sports facilities, as well as medical and humanitarian institutions; The activation of the supervisory and protective mechanisms available under the Geneva Conventions to ensure respect for the protections therein; The adoption of urgent measures to guarantee the safety and protection of medical, educational, and humanitarian facilities and to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.”
source: tehrantimes.com