Assistance and repatriation operations in the Middle East amid ongoing conflict

As the world moves into day six of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, global assistance operators are reporting that movement of patients is still possible.

Marm Assistance said: “As regional dynamics continue to evolve, operational clarity and structured coordination remain critical. Our teams are actively managing medical transfers, non-medical repatriations, and hospital admissions across affected territories, with continuous real-time validation of aviation, ground logistics, and institutional readiness.

“While certain corridors remain restricted, structured execution remains possible in selected jurisdictions under carefully assessed operational parameters. Each case is evaluated individually to ensure medical appropriateness, regulatory compliance, and secure transit feasibility.”

Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies are on high alert across the Middle East following the recent escalation of hostilities. Teams are responding to meet urgent humanitarian needs across the region.

“Our colleagues are doing everything they can, with the resources available to them, to reach people in urgent need,” said Gabriel Karlsson, the British Red Cross’s Middle East Country Cluster Manager. “From Tehran and Baghdad to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Beirut, Red Cross and Red Crescent teams are saving lives minute by minute, working under immense pressure but with unwavering commitment.”

Repatriation flights by governments continue

Repatriation efforts are also ongoing. A US Department of State charter flight of American citizens departed the Middle East on 4 March en route to the US as part of its ongoing efforts to assist Americans’ return home. A statement from the Department noted: “Additional flights will be surged across the region. American citizens in UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Israel interested in the Department’s charter flight or ground transportation options should complete the Crisis Intake Form [for updates].”

The European Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) supported European Union (EU) member states with the organisation of six repatriation flights on 4 and 5 March, bringing European citizens safely back to Bulgaria, Italy, Austria, and Slovakia. Additional repatriation flights under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism are planned in the coming days, as an increasing number of EU member states have activated it.

A statement from the European Commission added: “The Commission is taking every possible step to ensure the safety of EU citizens by supporting Member States in coordinating repatriation flights from the Middle East. 

“The priority is to assist Member States and to protect EU citizens stranded in the region and bring them safely back home, to Europe. As of 5 March, 10 Member States have activated the Mechanism, namely Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, France, Italy, Cyprus, Luxemburg, Romania, Slovakia, and Austria.”

In addition to the coordination efforts, the Commission can pay part of the financial costs of the repatriation flights. In particular, flights that offer seats to the citizens of EU member states other than the EU member state activating the Mechanism are eligible for EU co-financing. Up to 75% of the eligible costs for the flights can be reimbursed by the EU if at least 30% of available seats are offered to citizens from other EU countries. The Commission can also book flights via the rescEU mechanism if no member state can support a country requesting support to evacuate its citizens. In that case, the Commission can cover 100% of the costs.

Poland’s military was called on by the government to help with repatriation efforts on 5 March. “Polish Air Force aircraft have taken off to support the evacuation of Polish citizens from the Middle East region,” the Operational Command of Poland’s Armed Forces said on X shortly after 6am Warsaw time. Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz earlier said that two Boeing 737 aircraft with military crews would take part.

Under a presidential order, which will remain in effect from 5–31 March, up to 150 soldiers may be engaged in the evacuation of Poles from Middle Eastern countries, in particular those requiring medical assistance.