Dear Dr Kolivand,

I would like to express my greetings and compliments to you as well as the staff,
youth members and volunteers of the Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic
of Iran (IRCS) for the impressive work you are carrying out in the humanitarian field
assisting the people of Iran and beyond. The extensive preparation and organization
for the Arbaeen Pilgrimage and the dedication of the IRCS in the provision of relief,
health and treatment services were perhaps one of the latest manifestations of this
remarkable humanitarian spirit.

I am also very happy to learn that the IRCS and ICRC are jointly organizing a Photo
and Conceptual Arts Exhibition on the repatriation of the ex-Prisoners of War of the
Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s. Both the IRCS and the ICRC have an extensive history
of humanitarian service delivery to the population affected by the war. Both
organisations can be proud of their specific services that they provided in
accordance with their distinct mandates and particular fields of expertise, as well as
joint humanitarian efforts as Movement partners. This exhibition is certainly a good
opportunity to commemorate these humanitarian activities of the IRCS and the
ICRC and to underscore our shared principles.

Our Red Cross and Red Crescent family is at the forefront of humanitarian
assistance and ensuring protection for those who need it most. The world has
increasingly seen how effective our Movement can be in addressing overlapping
crises and providing principled humanitarian assistance. Our strength lies in our
unity, our determination to carry forward the ideals of neutral, impartial, independent
humanitarian action and our commitment to the humanitarian cause.

Working together, leveraging the complementary roles of each part of the
Movement, and putting people at the centre of what we do is perhaps more
important than ever, given the massive scale of needs with which we are faced with,
locally and globally. We would very much like to see our partnership with the IRCS
develop and strengthen still further. There is no shortage of humanitarian challenges
and opportunities on which we can build, together.
With your leadership, I am confident that the IRCS will continue to be an influential
member of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and positively contribute
the humanitarian goals of the Movement.

Yours sincerely,
Robert Mardini
Director-General