The first shipment of medical aid from India arrived in Iran on Wednesday, the Indian Embassy in Tehran confirmed. The Iranian Embassy in India stated that the consignment was received by the Iranian Red Crescent Society and expressed gratitude to the people of India.
“The first shipment of medical aid from the esteemed people of India has been delivered. We sincerely thank the kind people of India,” the Embassy of Iran in India said in a social media post.
In recent years, India has emerged as a significant provider of humanitarian assistance to countries in need. The latest aid comes as Iran continues to face the impact of the ongoing US-Israel military campaign, which began on February 28.
According to Iran’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, more than 1,300 people have been killed and over 7,000 injured since the conflict began. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also reported 18 attacks on healthcare facilities and confirmed the deaths of eight medical personnel.
Despite these challenges, WHO officials said Iran’s healthcare system remains largely functional. “Primary healthcare and health infrastructure are robust, and they can accommodate casualties as of now,” WHO regional director Hanan Balkhy told Reuters.
The WHO added that it has contingency plans in place to deliver emergency supplies if the situation worsens.
Officials also warned of potential health risks from toxic “black rain” caused by smoke from burning oil facilities, which could lead to a rise in respiratory infections.
Meanwhile, emergency medical aid flights, which had been temporarily suspended from the WHO hub in Dubai, have now resumed.