A Confrontation Between Darkness and Light
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Seyed Javad Hosseini described wars as the “dark, criminal side of human history” that have repeatedly claimed countless lives. He cited historical statistics, noting that World War I claimed 15 to 22 million lives, World War II resulted in 70 to 80 million deaths, and subsequent discriminatory policies have caused an additional 18 million fatalities.
Dr. Hosseini highlighted the impact of conflict on the Iranian people, noting, “In the 12-day and 40-day attacks against Iran [by the U.S. and the Zionist regime], more than 5,000 people were killed. Sadly, women and children are the greatest victims of all wars throughout human history.”
He emphasized the staggering global statistics, stating that nearly 500 million children—or one in six—live in conflict-affected regions. By 2024, approximately 49 million children had been displaced due to war and violence. “In the recent 40-day war, 2,000 children and 5,000 women were killed, including 70 children under the age of two,” he added.
Drawing a parallel to the month of Muharram, Dr. Hosseini noted that the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH) and his 72 companions 1,400 years ago represents another dark chapter of history where women and children were among the victims. “However,” he added, “the bright side of history is that nations, governments, and especially non-governmental groups have always rushed to help the victims. Today, we are pleased to host one such humanitarian group, Mercy Malaysia.”
Dr. Hosseini extended his gratitude to Shah Faisal bin Hussein and other members of the international organization for their impactful aid to displaced women and children, particularly in Afghanistan and Gaza, and acknowledged the Hami Association for its three decades of work supporting victims of war.
Rehabilitation Efforts During Crisis
Dr. Fatemeh Abbasi, Deputy for Rehabilitation, outlined the organization’s three-phased approach—pre-crisis, during-crisis, and post-crisis—to support people with disabilities. She reported that the department conducted 1,860 coordination meetings, held 720 simulation drills, and produced over 9,000 pieces of educational content on crisis management.
During active conflict, the department maintained 1,813 virtual support groups for people with disabilities, published 109 educational resources, and facilitated 5,000 training sessions for crisis management personnel. Furthermore, 40,000 wellness checks were conducted on people with disabilities, and 20,000 in-person and 63,000 remote counseling sessions were provided.
Looking to the post-crisis phase, Dr. Abbasi noted, “Our focus is on assessing damages to help individuals return to normal life and monitoring centers for future risk preparedness. Due to post-war psychological trauma and shortages in medical equipment, we require further support from international bodies to uphold the dignity of our clients.”
Housing and Employment Stability
Dr. Arezoo Zakaeifar, Head of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Empowerment, explained that the Welfare Organization’s intervention is guided by five principles: rapid response, focus on the most vulnerable, preservation of human dignity, utilization of local capacity, and transitioning from relief to rehabilitation.
“In the housing sector, we focused on emergency shelter, temporary repairs, and reconstruction,” she stated. “During the war, 2,425 homes belonging to our beneficiaries suffered damage, ranging from minor to total destruction. Beyond our own budget, we secured 20 billion tomans from the Norwegian Refugee Council to assist in reconstruction.”
Regarding employment, Dr. Zakaeifar explained that the organization focused on preserving existing livelihoods and creating immediate income opportunities. “With over 2,900 home-based businesses damaged, we provided both financial support and insurance incentives to ensure the sustainability of these jobs.” She also highlighted efforts to provide remote learning tools for students under their care to prevent educational setbacks during internet disruptions.
Protection of Children and Adolescents
Hamidreza Alvand, Director of Child and Adolescent Care, detailed six specialized service packages provided to minors, including financial aid for maintenance, medical treatment, and daily expenses.
“To ensure safety, 81 centers located near sensitive or vulnerable areas were evacuated, and children were relocated to secure facilities,” Alvand reported. Despite war-related damages to centers estimated at 9 billion Rials, the implementation of four specific educational protocols, over 40 training clips, and 1,200 training courses for staff ensured that “none of the children under our care suffered physical harm.”
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