World Tribune.com
Blanchard

UN warns of drought disaster in Iran

Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Sunday, August 6, 2000

WASHINGTON [MENL] -- Iran faces a drought disaster that could damage the country for decades.

UN officials said a second straight year of drought has virtually eliminated Iran's livestock created water shortages throughout a huge portion of the country. An estimated one million head of livestock are already dead.

The officials said only three of Iran's 28 provinces have sufficient supplies of drinking water. Many lakes have disappeared completely.

The world body plans to help send water tankers and livestock feed by October in an effort estimated at several hundred millions of dollars. Officials said Iran needs at least one million tons of emergency barley for livestock feed and 400 mobile tankers to transport water.

Iran has not acknowledged the extent of the drought threat and has refused to ask for aid. But officials said the Islamic republic would accept aid if offered.

The lack of water has led to unrest in the country. Last month, violence erupted in the southwestern town of Abadan after residents smashed shop windows and set fires to protest the water shortage.

The drought damage has been intensified as many in neighboring Afghanistan are expected to cross into Iran to search for water.

Sunday, August 6, 2000

Subscribe to World Tribune.com's Daily Headline Alert
One-stop shopping for world news


Contact World Tribune.com at world@worldtribune.com

Return toWorld Tribune.com front page
Your window on the world