The strategic geographical position of Iran which provides the country easy access to international waters through the Persian Gulf and a developed different Transport mode network of road, rail, and air in most of part of the country, makes Iran a suitable platform to provide cost-effective and efficient logistical support to other ICRC delegations. In addition, proximity to Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and the Caucasus region, where the ICRC runs some of its largest operations, has made Iran strategically important for its operational emergency responses.
This is the ICRC delegations around Iran
In 2001, the ICRC resumed its presence and activities in Iran mainly for giving logistical support to its operations in Afghanistan. During the next 10 years, such support expanded considerably. Eventually, the focus of activities was shifted from Afghanistan to Iraq, with Kermanshah replacing Mashhad as the main logistical base.
Logistics procurement within Iran started with food and emergency household items (e.g. thermos bottles, steel kettles, and towels) and expanded to purchasing water and sanitation materials as of 2005.
In 2008, the warehouse in Kermanshah was the largest ICRC storage facility worldwide. The warehouse was closed due to the decrease in logistical support to Iraq. Since early 2011, Logistics in Iran resumed transiting part of the relief aid pipeline for Afghanistan, through Mashhad.
High quality and competitive prices of Iranian products have since placed Iran among the regular suppliers of water and sanitation materials for the region and beyond.
Over 9 ICRC delegations have so far received Iranian goods including Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, Syria, Yemen, Jordan, Georgia, and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries. The positive feedback from recipient delegations confirms the satisfaction with the quality of the goods and services rendered by the organization’s mission in Iran.
Since early 2013 Logistics resumed transiting relief goods to Iraq via Iran involving over 400 commercial trucks on yearly basis. In March 2016, the ICRC established a regional emergency warehouse in Tehran within the compound of the Relief and Rescue Organization of the Iranian Red Crescent Society. The warehouse serves as a buffer for any emergencies in the region, especially in Iraq.
Iran has remained the main route for the transiting of relief goods to Iraq, Iran and the Caucasus region. The below snapshot of Iran Logistics activities demonstrates the support provided by the ICRC Tehran/Iran delegation to the neighboring countries ICRC operations primarily in Iraq, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia. This showcases the increasing flexibility of Tehran Logistics, proving to be a valuable asset for the various operations of the ICRC in Iran, the region, and beyond.
Goods donation to Chabahar, Chabahar, 2023
ICRC donation to Kermanshah after the earthquake, Kermanshah, 2017
ICRC Warehouse in Iran
Transiting ICRC relief goods by trucks
In addition, here is some information on how to do business with the ICRC:
- Emergency Items Catalogue (ICRC- IFRC)
- Online Catalogue
- Doing Business with ICRC
- ICRC Code of Conduct for purchasing (goods & services)
- Guidelines and information on how to do business with ICRC
- Reference of manufacturing standards for items relief items production