Iran: ICRC deepens ties with Iranian Red Crescent

Iran: ICRC deepens ties with Iranian Red Crescent

Geneva/Tehran, 27 June 2012 – The director-general of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Yves Daccord, has completed a two-day visit to Tehran, during which he signed a memorandum of understanding with the Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran and held talks with senior Iranian government officials.

The primary objective of the memorandum of understanding is to reinforce the strategic partnership between the ICRC and the Iranian Red Crescent and to strengthen the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement through joint activities benefiting the partners and ultimately the people receiving aid.

"The memorandum reaffirms the commitment of the two Movement partners to boost their cooperation, particularly in joint operations – whether in Iran or in other parts of the world where both are active," said Mr Daccord.

"The memorandum of understanding confirms the close cooperation between our two organizations and our joint ambitions in the fields of physical rehabilitation, promotion of international humanitarian law and humanitarian principles, and weapon clearance," said Dr Abolhassan Faghih, the president of the Iranian Red Crescent.

After meeting with General Kalantari, Iran's deputy minister of defence for international affairs, communication and defensive studies, Mr Daccord said: "The focus of our discussions was on providing support for the Iranian Mine Action Centre and developing joint cooperation."

During his stay in Iran, the ICRC director-general also visited the Iranian Red Crescent's General Rehabilitation Centre, its Relief and Rescue Organization, Helal Iran Textile Industries (which belongs to the Red Crescent), Soha (a manufacturer of disposable medical devices which is affiliated with the Red Crescent), and the Iranian Red Crescent museum.

For further information, please visit our website: www.icrc.org

ENDS

© Scoop Media