Craig stressed that the Lebanese Red Cross remains the backbone of emergency medical response in the country, operating the only ambulance network while also managing blood transfusion services. With healthcare needs surging due to continued strikes, he described the situation as a “perfect storm of ongoing attacks leading to escalating humanitarian needs”.
The strain is not limited to Lebanon. In Iran, the healthcare system is also grappling with acute shortages, particularly in trauma care. Craig noted that one of the first international aid shipments, including advanced trauma kits, recently entered Iran via Turkey after traditional supply routes were disrupted. “Medical needs are extremely high, and these trauma kits are essential,” he said.The operation to deliver aid was logistically complex, as air routes remain closed and maritime channels restricted. Supplies had to be rerouted overland from Turkey, highlighting the challenges humanitarian agencies face in maintaining supply chains during active conflict.
While a ceasefire is currently in place in Iran, Craig cautioned that humanitarian needs remain elevated, with millions displaced and requiring immediate support. He also flagged the growing psychological toll of the conflict across both countries, warning that its full impact is only beginning to emerge.
Also Read | Canada, UK and other nations condemn killings of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon
The comments come amid heightened geopolitical activity in West Asia. Donald Trump has indicated that fresh talks between Washington and Tehran could take place soon, even as the US maintains pressure through sanctions and a blockade of Iranian ports. At the same time, diplomatic engagement has resumed between Israel and Lebanon for the first time in decades, though significant disagreements persist, including over the disarmament of non-state groups such as Hezbollah.
Despite tentative moves towards de-escalation, ongoing strikes and military operations continue to drive humanitarian needs higher. The IFRC has called on the international community to scale up support urgently, warning that both immediate relief and long-term rebuilding efforts will depend heavily on sustained global assistance.
