Red Cross launches $51.5M appeal to support humanitarian response in Iran

GENEVA

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) launched a 40 million Swiss franc (approximately $51.5 million) emergency appeal Tuesday to support humanitarian operations in Iran amid rising needs linked to ongoing hostilities.

The appeal will help the Iranian Red Crescent Society expand assistance to about 5 million people across 30 affected provinces over the next 16 months, focusing on those impacted by infrastructure damage, displacement risks, and disruptions to essential services.

"With humanitarian needs growing sharply with every passing day, this Emergency Appeal will help scale up lifesaving assistance and get support to those most affected," Maria Martinez, IFRC head of delegation in Iran, said in a statement.

The Iranian Red Crescent Society has been responding since hostilities escalated on Feb. 28. According to IFRC, 529 branches are currently involved in response efforts across 197 cities, with more than 2,100 response teams and over 6,500 staff and volunteers deployed.

Emergency teams are carrying out search-and-rescue operations, providing medical care, and supporting affected communities, the statement said. A nationwide hotline has also received thousands of calls offering mental health and psychosocial support.

IFRC said the appeal will fund emergency shelter, relief supplies, health services, water and sanitation support, and psychosocial assistance.

The federation has already allocated 1.5 million Swiss francs ($1.9 million) from its Disaster Response Emergency Fund to support initial relief operations, according to the statement.