IFRC Mourns Death of Staff Member While on Humanitarian Mission

Statement - IFRC appalled by the killing of one Iranian Red Crescent colleague

Tehran/Beirut/Geneva, 15 March 2026: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is appalled by the death of Hamidreza Jahanbakhsh, a staff member of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) from Isfahan Province, who was killed during a search and rescue operation in Tiran-o-Korun, Isfahan Province, on 8 March. 

Hamidreza Jahanbakhsh lost his life while carrying out his humanitarian duty to assist people affected by the ongoing hostilities. The IFRC expresses its sincere condolences to his family, loved ones, and all IRCS colleagues. Since the outbreak of the conflict, several other IRCS staff and volunteers have also sustained injuries while carrying out their duties. 

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 stand in solidarity with the Iranian Red Crescent Society and all humanitarian workers providing life-saving assistance in difficult and often dangerous conditions. 

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. 

Once again, our network is mourning the loss of a colleague. Any attack on humanitarians is unacceptable and must be condemned. We will never stop asking for the protection of humanitarian teams: this is a moral and legal obligation. 

Since the start of the year, seven members of the IFRC network have passed away while on duty. 

For more information: media@ifrc.org    

In Beirut:   
Mey Al Sayegh, +961 761 744 68    

In Geneva:  
Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367 

photo: People place flowers on an Iranian Red Crescent Society vehicle that was bombed by Israel on June 19. EPA