In Iran, the ICRC Physical Rehabilitation Programme supports persons with disabilities, resulting in long-term consequences for individuals with disabilities, their families, communities, and society as a whole, including reduced independence, participation, and quality of life.

In Iran, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Physical Rehabilitation Programme supports persons with disabilities by improving access to rehabilitation services, including for Afghan migrants and vulnerable members of host communities.

The programme is implemented in close partnership with the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) at its Physical Rehabilitation Centres in Mashhad (since 2018), Zahedan (since 2021), and Tehran (since 2022). This partnership aims to provide comprehensive rehabilitation services, enhance the quality of care, and strengthen the capacity of service providers across Iran.

In addition to its collaboration with the IRCS, the ICRC supports two local Non-Governmental Organization(NGO) partners: the Society for Recovery Support (SRS) in Mashhad and the International Farda Development Activists Association (IFDAA) in Zahedan. These organizations assist in identifying, screening, assessing, and referring persons with disabilities to physical rehabilitation centres.

Through a multidisciplinary approach, the ICRC Physical Rehabilitation Programme implements a wide range of activities, including on-the-job training, short-term specialized training courses, technical support, professional skills development, and institutional support to rehabilitation centres. Services provided include the production and provision of prosthetic and orthotic devices, prescription and provision of wheelchairs and other mobility aids, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and other rehabilitation interventions tailored to individual needs.

To address the growing humanitarian needs resulting from recent emergencies and recent escalation of hostilities, the ICRC has supported the IRCS rehabilitation centers and partners in Iran to expand their service delivery capacity.  This support includes the provision of specialized machinery, equipment, and materials, assistance to rehabilitation centres in provinces most affected by the recent escalation, strengthening the technical capacity of rehabilitation professionals, and facilitating access to essential rehabilitation services for injured and affected individuals.

In 2025, with the purpose of strengthening professional collaboration and advancing technical cooperation in the field of rehabilitation, the ICRC, in collaboration with the IRCS, organized the First International Conference on Rehabilitation and Disability within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in Tehran, bringing together managers, rehabilitation experts and representatives from 18 countries. The conference provided a platform for knowledge exchange and marked the launch of the two-year International Rehabilitation Secretariat in Iran, aimed at ensuring the continuity of scientific and technical cooperation.

The ICRC also organized a range of training courses, workshops and webinars for IRCS volunteers, rehabilitation managers and professionals to strengthen capacities in different key areas and enhance preparedness and emergency response.