TEHRAN – The closing ceremony of a project titled ‘Emergency Support for Post-Earthquake Reconstruction of Human Settlements in Hormozgan Province’ (PERHOPE project) highlighted the project’s achievements and reaffirmed national and international commitments to resilient recovery and sustainable development.

The UN-Habitat Iran Office, in cooperation with the Building and Housing Research Center (BHRC), held the ceremony on January 14 to mark the successful completion of the project, UN-Habitat Iran announced in a press release in January.

The event was attended by Ghazal Raheb, President of the Building and Housing Research Center; H.E. Tamaki Tsukada, Ambassador of Japan; and Mr. Sadegh Sadeghpour, Advisor to the Minister and Secretary of the National Habitat Committee. Representatives from the Ministry of Energy, the National Department of Environment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Urban Regeneration Corporation of Iran, and the Housing Foundation of the Islamic Republic of Iran also participated, alongside members of the local community from Sayeh Khosh village, the project’s target settlement.

Funded by the Government of Japan, the PERHOPE project provided critical post-disaster support following the 2022 twin earthquakes in Hormozgan Province. The project integrated principles of sustainable development and disaster resilience to address immediate and long-term recovery needs in the affected villages under the ‘building back better’ approach.

The project contributed to the reconstruction of potable water supply systems. This component focuses on reconstructing disaster-resilient infrastructure, including a 500m³ reinforced concrete water reservoir and repairing the damaged water distribution network, providing reliable access to clean drinking water for approximately 1,500 residents, ensuring a critical step in post-disaster recovery.

The project also strengthened community resilience through capacity development, climate-awareness-raising, and the promotion of green jobs. This component encompasses comprehensive studies to provide a plan for organizing the affected villages into sustainable and resilient infrastructure and communities. It incorporates planning for improvements in housing, water, energy systems, and livelihood diversification.

These interventions directly support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

The closing ceremony underscored the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships and community-centered approaches in post-disaster recovery, while reaffirming UN-Habitat’s commitment to building safer, more inclusive, and resilient human settlements in Iran.

Under the PERHOPE project, the UN-Habitat office in Iran has launched a women-led tree nursery to strengthen both livelihoods and the ecosystem in Sayeh-Khosh village, southern Hormozgan province.

The local-scale initiative will produce approximately 40,000 climate-resilient seedlings annually. It will empower women to lead climate-smart livelihoods, turning recovery into opportunity and hope, UN-Habitat Iran announced in a post on Instagram on December 29, 2025.

Implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, National Water and Wastewater Company, Hormozgan Water and Wastewater Company, local councils, and NGOs, the project demonstrates how nature-based solutions such as grey water treatment can create green jobs, tackle drought and desertification, and advance SDGs.

Thanks to the dedication and leadership of local women, the nature-based greywater treatment system developed through the PERHOPE project transforms Sayeh-Khosh Grand mosque’s ablution wastewater and air conditioned (AC) condensate into a resource for thriving green spaces and a sustainable tree nursery.

The system –developed with active participation of local women and youth – integrates nature-based components and biofilters, including wood chips and charcoal, ensuring the system remains environmentally friendly and sustainable.

This initiative in Hormozgan province is not just about sustainability; it is the place of emergence of the power of women-led collaboration and international partnership. With the potential to upscale the approach to other public buildings and regions, the UN-Habitat Iran is paving the way for a more resilient future and improving the resilience of water-sensitive settlements.