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
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