María Martínez

IFRC Head of Delegation for Iran, former Head of Delegation for the Indian Ocean Islands. Views are my own.

[María Martínez @MariaMercedes_M]

Powerful discussions in Geneva with the Iranian Red Crescent. Behind every statistic are lives at risk — and dedicated teams working tirelessly to save them. Urgent needs require urgent international solidarity.

[IFRC @ifrc]

For many families across Iran, the past three months have changed daily life in ways that are still unfolding.

Behind every response are volunteers and emergency teams who continued supporting communities under difficult circumstances, staying beside people when support was needed most.

Three months later, Iranian Red Crescent @Iranian_RCS volunteers and staff continue serving communities with humanity and solidarity.

[María Martínez @MariaMercedes_M]

No matter where, no matter when. I have witnessed it myself - in the hardest moments, @Iranian_RCS volunteers were there. Not just as responders, but as neighbors, family, holding people together. On #RedCrescentDay, this is what it means to be #UnitedInHumanity.

[IFRC @ifrc]

In Resalat, eastern Tehran, families are facing the devastating aftermath of destruction in their own homes. Lives lost. Hundreds injured. Communities in shock.

Within minutes, teams from the @Iranian_RCS were on the ground, rescuing survivors, providing psychological support, and ensuring dignity for those who have perished.

With support from the @IFRC, the response is scaling to reach those most in need.

Across Tehran, the needs continue to grow, and so does the humanitarian response.

🎙️@Xcastel

[International Affairs & IHL Of I.R. IRAN RCS @Intdepircs]

From 600M syringes yearly to 1,200 tents daily, IFRC’s @Xcastel Castellanos praised IRCS as “exemplary,” while warning of the devastating impact of war and sanctions on Iran’s health system.

[Xavier Castellanos @Xcastel]

Four minutes after a strike hit a residential complex, @Iran_RCS rescue teams were already on site, pulling people from the rubble.

But the fate of Alireza Sohbatloo in Zanjan was tragically different. While conducting a search-and-rescue operation to save someone trapped beneath the debris, a second strike hit the same location, just 10 minutes after the first.

Alireza was 34 years old and had served as a volunteer with the Iranian Red Crescent Society for 15 years. He was killed while carrying out his humanitarian duty.

His story deeply touched me. No humanitarian worker and no civilian should tragically end as Alireza. Attacks on those who serve humanity are unacceptable. All parties to conflict must make every effort to always respect international humanitarian law, at all times.

My visit to Iran, together with my colleagues from @ifrc , allowed me to witness firsthand the extraordinary commitment of Iranian Red Crescent staff and volunteers across the country during 40 days of international conflict. Their courage and dedication are nothing short of remarkable.

[María Martínez @MariaMercedes_M]

Relief supplies from @ifrc have arrived at the @Iran_RCS warehouse, reinforcing operational capacity for the ongoing humanitarian response.

[María Martínez @MariaMercedes_M]

Trucks loaded with essential humanitarian supplies for @Iran_RCS have crossed the border. They are now making their way into Iran - carrying not jus vital items, but dignity and solidarity ♥️

[IFRC @ifrc]

It has been reported that a warehouse belonging to the Iranian Red Crescent @Iranian_RCS has sustained significant damage due to the escalating hostilities in Iran. Two wheeled relief containers and two buses and relief vehicles were destroyed.

Communities on all sides are already paying a heavy price since the escalation of hostilities. Humanitarian workers, ambulances, relief supplies and humanitarian facilities must be respected and protected.

We reiterate our call for respect for our emblems and the humanitarian services they represent.

[IFRC @ifrc]

The @IFRC mourns Alireza, the third @Iranian_RCS volunteer in a month to be killed in an airstrike while helping others.

[IFRC @ifrc]

Psychosocial support teams from the @Iranian_RCS are present in emergency shelters across West Azerbaijan Province, providing essential support to families affected by the recent escalation of hostilities.

Thank you to the Iranian Red Crescent Society and its volunteers for their continued efforts to support people during this challenging time.

[IFRC @ifrc]

The @IFRC is outraged by the killing of Dr. Somayeh Mir Abo Eshagh, a 44-year-old volunteer with the Iranian Red Crescent Society from Khansar in the Ishafan Province in central Iran. She tragically lost her life during airstrikes, while on duty, on 27 March.

We express our deepest condolences to her family, loved ones, and all colleagues at @Iranian_RCS.

The killing of Soumaya, and any attack on humanitarians is unacceptable and must be condemned.

Humanitarian workers must be protected. It is a moral and legal imperative.

Our statement: https://t.co/Hs5cXwq6VN

[IFRC @ifrc]

The @IFRC is appalled by the death of Hamidreza Jahanbakhsh, a staff member of the @Iranian_RCS from Isfahan Province, who was killed during a search and rescue operation in Tiran-o-Korun, Isfahan Province, on 8 March.

We express our sincere condolences to his family, loved ones, and all @Iranian_RCS colleagues.

The safety and protection of humanitarian personnel, as well as respect for the Red Crescent emblem, are essential to ensure the continued delivery of impartial, life-saving assistance to people in need.

Our statement: https://t.co/0iy5idsdvC

[IFRC @ifrc]

The @IFRC has launched a CHF 40 million Emergency Appeal to scale up the vital work of the Iranian Red Crescent Society @Iranian_RCS, as it responds to sharply growing humanitarian needs resulting from the ongoing hostilities. https://t.co/w5LVGtfevd

[IFRC Middle East and North Africa @IFRC_MENA]

Through rubble and loss, they keep saving lives.

As the escalation of hostilities continues across Iran, communities are facing immense loss, displacement and growing pressure on essential services.

Across 30 provinces, the @Iranian_RCS is responding at scale, with volunteers and emergency teams working around the clock to rescue survivors, provide medical care and offer psychosocial support to those affected. Despite this, the response continues. Because even in the most difficult moments, humanity must come first.

Read the full story:
https://t.co/jfaePcRzW3

[IFRC Middle East and North Africa @IFRC_MENA]

Across communities in #Iran, volunteers and rescue teams from the @Iranian_RCS continue to stand alongside people affected by the recent escalation of hostilities.

In moments of uncertainty and fear, their presence brings more than assistance. It brings comfort, reassurance and humanity to those going through difficult times.

We thank the Iranian Red Crescent Society and its volunteers for their compassion and unwavering commitment to supporting communities.

[IFRC Middle East and North Africa @IFRC_MENA]

We are deeply concerned by reports of an @Iranian_RCS ambulance hit while responding to an emergency.

The Red Crescent emblem represents neutrality and life-saving assistance.

Respect for this emblem is essential so emergency teams can safely reach people in need.

Any attack on health workers, ambulances, or medical facilities is unacceptable. We reiterate our call for respect for our emblems and the humanitarian services they represent.

[IFRC Middle East and North Africa @IFRC_MENA]

Community members in Hoseinabad-e Kuros village participated in an H2O PEACE Skills training organized by the @Iranian_RCS, with support from @ifrc.

The training focused on water resource management, safe water storage, and community preparedness.

Our sincere thanks to the Iranian Red Crescent Society for continuing to strengthen community knowledge and resilience through such trainings during these challenging times.

[IFRC Middle East and North Africa @IFRC_MENA]

Across #Iran, staff and volunteers of the Iranian Red Crescent Society continue supporting communities affected by the ongoing hostilities, despite extremely challenging conditions.

Here is how @Iranian_RCS are supporting people on the ground:

[IFRC Middle East and North Africa @IFRC_MENA]

As needs continue to evolve, the @ifrc network remains fully mobilized to support affected communities in Iran.

Through an allocation of 1.5 million CHF from @IFRC_DREF, immediate resources are being made available to reinforce emergency health services and ensure timely humanitarian assistance.

Working in close coordination with the @Iranian_RCS, this operation will support 200,000 people over nine months, strengthening response capacity and sustaining lifesaving services where they are needed most.

The safety and protection of humanitarian workers must always be upheld to allow them to carry out their mission safely and effectively.