Civilians in Iran paying a heavy price as hostilities escalate
24 March 2026
As hostilities intensify across the Middle East, communities in Iran are facing growing humanitarian impacts, with daily life disrupted and essential infrastructure affected.
Civilians in Iran are experiencing the growing humanitarian consequences of escalating hostilities across the Middle East. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned that civilians are paying a heavy price, with people living in fear for their safety and that of their loved ones.
The impact on daily life has been significant. In Tehran, children are not attending school, and many businesses have closed as a precaution due to ongoing strikes. Homes and essential infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, have also been affected. Many are also mourning loved ones lost during the hostilities.
In Iran, the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) has mobilised its network of people with logistics units, medical services, rapid response teams, search and rescue and pharmacies across the country to deliver essential humanitarian services and support people affected by the emergency. This response comes at great risk, with some of our humanitarian colleagues having been injured or killed while carrying out their work, we are deeply saddened by this loss.
ICRC teams remain present in Iran and are working in difficult conditions to support humanitarian efforts. They stand ready to scale up assistance and provide additional support where access and security conditions allow.
Across the wider region, National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are responding to increasing humanitarian needs as hostilities escalate.
International humanitarian law is clear: civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected, and humanitarian workers must be able to operate safely.
More information
- Learn more about the work of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement: Iran:
- If you are in New Zealand and have lost contact with family members in affected areas, our Restoring Family Links service may be able to help you reconnect with your loved ones. Find out more and submit a tracing request: www.redcross.org.nz/RFL
Lead image: In Iran, a humanitarian worker from the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) searches through building rubble with a search and rescue dog.
Photo credit: Iranian Red Crescent Society