Humanitarian work

This page presents the Iranian Red Lion and Sun Society’s activities and plans, based on the report supplied by its leadership and in the report’s original order. Future proposals are identified as plans.

Activities and plans of the Society

1. Revival of the Iranian Red Lion and Sun Society’s name and emblem from 2015, presentation of its management and aims through media and online channels, and engagement with Iranians and political and human rights organisations in Iran and abroad.

2. Recruitment across different communities in Iran and abroad, with a focus on rescue organisations and Red Crescent relief workers, youth members, volunteers and administrative staff.

3. Inviting political and human rights activists, political prisoners, bereaved families seeking justice, injured people and groups active in Iran to join and cooperate, including through video messages.

4. Publication of a statement supported by more than one hundred prominent political prisoners at Rajai Shahr Prison who, according to the Society’s report, named the organisation and its leadership as their trusted representatives abroad.

5. Support for political prisoners and bereaved families seeking justice through financial and in-kind assistance, medicines, treatment costs, home repairs, educational assistance and psychological support.

6. Relief and logistical support following disasters such as earthquakes and floods, including financial assistance, food parcels, blankets, clothing and essential household goods for affected people.

7. Educational, financial and logistical support during the COVID-19 pandemic: procurement of 80 oxygen cylinders; production of more than 30,000 masks through the “Sew Masks at Home” initiative and hundreds of sets of hospital clothing; provision of medicines and equipment, particularly in underserved parts of Sistan and Baluchestan, Khuzestan and southern districts of major cities; and mobile phones and tablets to help pupils access online education.

8. The “Mehr-e Mehrgan” initiative to provide stationery, school bags, shoes, clothing and other educational necessities for children in Sistan and Baluchestan, South Khorasan and Khuzestan.

9. The “Mehr-e Bahar” initiative to support families in need around Nowruz, including through the provision of clothing and shoes.

10. The “Baran-e Mehr” initiative to bring together donors in Iran and abroad in support of the Society’s relief and humanitarian activities.

11. Assistance during the war in Ukraine, including dispatching several vehicles from Germany with humanitarian supplies and medicines to the Ukrainian–Hungarian border, transporting children and mothers affected by the war to Germany and helping with their accommodation.

12. Humanitarian support for Iranian, Persian-speaking and other refugees in Germany, including assistance with residence and asylum matters.

13. Recruitment, training and coordination of volunteers in Iran and the creation of membership records.

14. Production and online distribution of hundreds of hours of educational video material and posters on first aid, volunteer coordination and operational teams for members and the wider public.

15. Recruitment and coordination of volunteers among Red Crescent relief workers, rescuers and administrative staff who expressed an interest in working with the Society.

16. Field and logistical assistance for people injured during street protests, including through the “Emdad” project and access to safe treatment facilities.

17. The nationwide “Tadavom” initiative to organise the Society’s volunteers in Iran.

18. Presentation of the Society’s structure and activities, recruitment and training of volunteers abroad, and the formation of relief teams outside Iran.

19. First-aid assistance at gatherings and marches following the start of the Mahsa movement, involving relief workers, doctors and nurses, equipped first-aid bags, aid tents and mobile teams. According to the Society’s report, these teams assisted hundreds of people and arranged hospital transfers where necessary.

20. Provision of dozens of equipped first-aid bags for members and teams, together with medicines and relief supplies to support injured people and cooperating treatment facilities in Iran.

21. Establishing contacts with doctors, healthcare workers and pharmacies to facilitate treatment and access to medicines for injured people.

22. Coordination with medical-equipment suppliers, funding purchases and delivering supplies to relief teams in Iran. The Society’s report also refers to the use of routes across the country’s western and eastern borders.

23. Financial assistance, medicines and support with basic living needs for injured people and bereaved families during protests referred to in the Society’s report as the “Lion and Sun Revolution”.

24. Formal registration of the association in Germany under the Iranian Red Lion and Sun name and emblem, and opening a bank account for its activities within the German registration, tax and accounting framework.

25. A visit by the Society’s leadership and members to the premises of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Geneva, submission of a letter expressing concerns about the Iranian Red Crescent and adherence to the Movement’s principles, and display of the Red Lion and Sun flag outside those institutions.

26. Two online meetings, each lasting ninety minutes, with Prince Reza Pahlavi about the Society and its activities, including discussion of management and volunteer cooperation.

27. A telephone conversation with Empress Farah Pahlavi to introduce the Society’s revival and activities and hear her views.

28. Membership applications supported by documentation and application forms, followed by the issue of membership cards, identification codes and individual email accounts for members.

29. Weekly educational, cultural and general meetings for members in Iran and abroad, and participation in meetings with different groups and organisations.

30. The “Peyk-e Mehr va Omid” initiative, offering visits and companionship to bereaved families, political prisoners, activists, patients and older people to strengthen hope and social support.

31. Formation of operational and support teams in different countries, educational gatherings and charity markets featuring crafts and food to introduce the Society, encourage participation and expand humanitarian activities.

32. Development of a proposed crisis-management council and “Headquarters 72” plan for the first 72 hours of the political transition envisaged by the Society in Iran. It anticipates cooperation with military, law-enforcement and relief bodies and a possible interim government, provision of basic necessities and medicines, and equitable distribution of essential supplies. It also includes preparations for natural and other disasters. This item describes a proposed plan.

33. Preparation of draft statutes for submission to a possible interim government and pursuit of the Iranian Red Lion and Sun name and emblem’s national and international standing. These are proposed objectives and plans of the Society.

34. Interviews with German media about the Society’s work, assistance to people injured in protests and human rights issues in Iran, including women, children, political prisoners and executions.

35. Gatherings and photographic exhibitions commemorating those who lost their lives and raising human rights concerns, with the participation of municipal officials.

36. Publication of a book and articles in Germany about human rights and women’s rights. The Society’s report also refers to their use in academic settings.

37. Participation by young members of the Society in an event attended by the German Federal President and his wife, including a short speech about human rights in Iran.