TEHRAN -- Nine Iranian Red Crescent relief workers were martyred and dozens of vehicles and aircraft damaged during recent wars, the head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society said on Saturday. 
Pirhossein Kolivand, speaking at the third general session on volunteer safety in the Middle East and North Africa region in Beirut, said the casualties occurred during recent wars. He said three helicopters, three relief vehicles and 43 ambulances were also damaged.
He called for strengthened regional cooperation among national societies in the Middle East and North Africa on experience sharing, joint training, risk assessment, incident reporting, psychosocial support, volunteer insurance and protection of humanitarian emblems and equipment.
Kolivand announced the Iranian Red Crescent’s readiness to share its experiences and participate in forming joint regional mechanisms for volunteer safety and protection. 
“Protecting volunteers is not just protecting operational forces; it is protecting the humanitarian capacity of national societies and guaranteeing the continuity of service to people,” he said.
The session included the screening of a film highlighting the sacrifices and services of volunteers and relief workers in various humanitarian missions, which was welcomed by heads and representatives of national societies present.