Dr Christoph Hamelmann, the WHO Representative in Iran received the Special Award on Emergency Response from Dr Ishaq Jahnagiri, the Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Dr Saeed Namaki, the Minister of Health and Medical Education Tehran, 18 September 2019 – The World Health Organization (WHO) in the Islamic Republic of Iran has received a special award from the National Emergency Management Organization on the occasion of the 44th anniversary of establishment of the Organization in Islamic Republic of Iran for its outstanding efforts and valuable support to the country in time of emergencies.

Dr Christoph Hamelmann, WHO Representative, received the award from Dr Ishaq Jahnagiri, the Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, who expressed his appreciation of the work of WHO as the leading United Nations agency for health with its special mandate of emergency response. 

Dr Saeed Namaki, the Minister of Health and Medical Education, also said that in the near future the country would be equipped with new ambulances and air ambulance equipment.

Dr Pirhossein Kolivand, Head of the National Emergency Management Organization added, “This year, marks the 44th anniversary of the establishment of the Organization. Throughout the years, the number of emergency medical services bases has increased from only 70 to more than 3300”.

In April 2019, WHO airlifted essential medical supplies to the Islamic Republic of Iran to respond to the growing health needs of thousands of people who had been displaced as a result of heavy flooding in many provinces in the country. The supplies included trauma, health, cholera and noncommunicable disease kits and other commodities requested by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education.

WHO, in close collaboration with other United Nations agencies, continues to support emergency preparedness measures in the country, including the convening of a hospital emergency preparedness workshop this month.