IRCS: US wants Iran’s financial aid rather than human resources

The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) said the American Red Cross has reportedly told Iran it does not need human resources but the Islamic Republic can send financial assistance to the United States to deal with the existing circumstances due to wildfires in Southern California.

News ID: 5773

Date: 14 January 2025 - 22:28

TABNAK, Jan 14: IRCS chief Pirhossein Kolivand made the remarks on Monday, two days after he sent a message to Cliff Holtz, the president and chief executive officer of the American Red Cross.

“I wrote a letter to the President of the American Red Cross, stating that since the fire in one of your cities has been ongoing for a long time and you have been unable to control the fire, you are in need of assistance from other countries,” he said.

The IRCS head went on to say that in his message, he has reiterated the society’s commitment to the principles of humanitarianism and Islamic and human values, which have pushed the organization to “rush to assist you in this crisis regardless of borders, cultures, and languages.”

Kolivand said he has expressed the Iranian Red Crescent Society’s readiness “to swiftly dispatch its specialized rapid reaction teams, rescue equipment, and committed and trained personnel to the [affected] areas," given its extensive experience in addressing natural and humanitarian disasters.

"The President of the American Red Cross responded, saying that there is no issue with human resources, but if you can, please send financial assistance!" he said,

In a Saturday message to Cliff Holtz, Kolivand expressed sympathy with the families of the victims of the large-scale wildfires that have devastated vast areas of the United States.

He stated that the heart-wrenching scenes of people struggling to breathe under a sky filled with smoke and fire highlight the need to take action, saying that “only through global cooperation and solidarity can we effectively alleviate the depth of this crisis.”

Officials say the death toll from the infernos in the Los Angeles area has risen to eleven. Approximately 153,000 residents have also been ordered to evacuate as the fires continue to rage.

Reports indicate that over 12,300 buildings have been destroyed, and authorities fear that both the death toll and property damage will continue to climb.

Meanwhile, a nighttime curfew has been established in regions affected by the catastrophic blazes with the Los Angeles County Sheriff making it clear that breaching the curfew will result in misdemeanor charges.