Indonesia's Red Cross weighs medical aid for Iran

 March 18, 2026 17:57 GMT+700

      



Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Red Cross is considering sending medical aid to Iran following a request from Tehran, as concerns grow over limited healthcare capacity amid ongoing tensions.

Chairman Jusuf Kalla said the request was delivered by Iranian Ambassador to Indonesia Mohammad Boroujerdi during a meeting at the organization’s headquarters in South Jakarta on Wednesday.

“The current situation in Iran requires medical support, particularly due to limited hospital facilities and medicine supplies,” Kalla said, adding that assistance would be channeled through international humanitarian networks rather than directly by governments.

He said aid would be distributed via the Red Cross and Red Crescent network in neighboring countries, including Turkey, before being delivered to affected communities in Iran.

Kalla added that potential delivery routes include Pakistan or Turkiye to help accelerate the distribution process.

However, he noted that cost efficiency remains a key consideration in determining how the assistance will be provided.

Shipping medicines from Indonesia could prove more expensive than sourcing them closer to the destination, he said.

“It is better to procure medicines in nearby countries. Based on our experience, prices in Pakistan can be about half of those in Indonesia,” Kalla said.

The Indonesian Red Cross, known as PMI, is currently assessing the scale of assistance required, including the types of medicines and medical equipment needed.

Further coordination is also being carried out with the Health Ministry to address technical aspects of aid delivery.

Kalla said the initiative reflects Indonesia’s broader humanitarian commitment to supporting countries facing health-related challenges through established international mechanisms.

He added that the organization would ensure that any assistance is delivered efficiently and reaches those most in need.

The plan comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions involving Iran, which have raised concerns about access to essential healthcare services.

Earlier, Kalla expressed concern over recent military actions involving the United States and Israel.

“This reflects our concern over the situation and the severity of actions directed at Iran,” he said on March 1.

Indonesia has a long history of providing humanitarian assistance through multilateral channels, particularly in times of crisis.