Iran Press/ Iran News: Speaking at a press conference on the occasion of World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day on Tuesday, Karim Hemmati responded the question of Iran Press correspondent about the level of collaborations between the International Committee of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society amid coronavirus pandemic, saying: "Iran has called on the Red Cross to take action to reduce sanctions. The Red Cross has so far sent cash and non-cash aid to Iran to deal with the corona."
Hemmati said that the IRCS has managed to handle both the Coronavirus pandemic and floods at the same time using its experience and potentials.
With regards to managing a Coronavirus outbreak in the country, he divided the taken actions into three stages; before Coronavirus, which included screening; during Coronavirus, which included thermometry; and after Coronavirus, which included helping the vulnerable people whose lives have been affected by COVID-19.
"The Red Crescent Society has been able to use the training capacity in cyberspace to educate people about dealing with coronavirus," Hemmati said, adding that 68 million people have used the content.
"During the outbreak of Coronavirus, Red Crescent volunteers, along with 3,400 medical staff across the country, screened 7.5 million vehicles for coronavirus and 14,000 suspected cases were identified that were introduced to the medical centers," he added.
Regarding the flood, Hemmati said that according to its experience last year, the Red Crescent along with other organizations, managed to control the floods in 25 provinces and there was no crisis in this regard.
Still, referring to the difficulties of sanctions amid the Coronavirus outbreak, the official said: "The sanctions have made it difficult for Iran to access cash aid, but with the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross, some of that cash has been delivered to Iran, but yet there is the problem of transactions. But despite sanctions, Iran has managed to contain the virus."
The head of Iran's Red Crescent Society went on to say that people donated 30 billion tomans in cash to the Red Crescent, which has been distributed among the needy since the very beginning day.
"Iran has so far received 112 international shipments from other countries, such as China, Qatar, Kuwait, Japan, and international organizations, and provided them to the public," said the head of IRCS.
Elaborating on Iran's plan to hold Hajj rituals, the official said: "There are two scenarios for this year's Hajj. The first is the cancellation of Hajj, the second is limited participation so that people under the age of 60 can participate in Hajj. These are 38,000 people. If the second scenario is implemented next week, IRCS will take the necessary steps, such as testing these people for coronavirus."
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