The heartbreaking story of the evacuation of babies from an orphanage amid Israeli attacks on Tehran
During the recent attacks attributed to the Israeli regime, a state-run infant care center in central Tehran — Ameneh Orphanage — was damaged by shockwaves from a nearby missile strike. The impact shattered windows and created panic among caregivers and infants. Dr. Mohammad Nasiri, Director General of Tehran’s Welfare Organization, described the chaotic evacuation of 70 infants and young children, including newborns on oxygen support and others with medical conditions.
The evacuation was executed in under 30 minutes, despite explosions shaking the building. Infants under two were relocated to Shabir Infant Care Center, while older children were moved to Hazrat Roghayeh Orphanage. Emotional video footage shared online showed caregivers rushing up and down stairs, holding babies in their arms, as the sound of explosions echoed in the background.
Due to the high-risk situation, the Welfare Organization activated a pre-existing “host family” emergency plan. Over 150 children were temporarily placed with trained families already registered for adoption. Contrary to social media rumors, Dr. Nasiri stressed that no child was handed over without proper vetting.
Despite the safe relocation, Dr. Nasiri emphasized the emotional toll on both the children and caregivers, many of whom stayed behind with the infants instead of returning to their own families during the crisis. The event underlines the vulnerability of institutionalized children during armed conflict and the critical role of emergency preparedness in social care systems.
