By Professor Mehdi Zare

New challenges of disaster management in Iran

The Iranian plateau is located in a very seismically active region of the world and is known not only for its major catastrophic earthquakes but also for the disasters relating to natural hazards, especially earthquakes. About 2% of the earthquakes of the world occur in Iran but more than 6% of the victims of the world earthquakes during the 20th century are reported from Iranian earthquakes. This shows the high level of vulnerability in Iran.

Iranian delegation to join disaster risk reduction global platform

TEHRAN – An Iranian delegation headed by director of the Disaster Management Organization Esmaeil Najjar have been dispatched to join the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction held on May 13-17 in Switzerland, IRNA reported on Sunday.

Land subsidence an overlooked threat to the country: expert

TEHRAN – Although land subsidence is too subtle to be detected, it must be tackled before incurring great loss, which has been proved to be more destructive than flood and earthquake, deputy director for Iran National Cartographic Center has said.

Iran eyeing global cooperation in disaster management

TEHRAN -- Iran’s global cooperation [in disaster management] should be continued and the Iranian satellites would be a great help in the future, the information and communication technology (ICT) minister wrote on his Twitter account.

National document on disaster management training prepared

TEHRAN — A national document on disaster management training has been prepared for 27 provinces, deputy director of National Disaster Management Organization has said.

Iran’s Rescue and Relief Organization to join INSARAG

TEHRAN — The Iranian Red Crescent Society’s Rescue and Relief Organization will join the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), the organization’s deputy director Shahin Fat’hi has said. 

Govt. allots $240m to mitigate water shortage

TEHRAN — Iran’s government has allocated some 10.02 trillion rials (nearly $240 million) to reduce water shortage nationwide, Ismail Najjar, head of the National Disaster Management Organization has said. 

Govt. allots $12m to compensate for flood damages in northern Iran

TEHRAN – Iranian government has earmarked a total budget of 500 billion rials (nearly $12 million) compensating for the losses resulting from floods hitting Mazandaran Province, northern part of the country, IRNA reported on Saturday.

Land subsidence a dire threat to Tehran

TEHRAN — Depletion of groundwater resources and pumping water excessively out of the ground at a faster rate that is replenished over the long-term have led to land subsidence and constitute a serious threat to Tehran.

‘Climate change main cause of recurrent droughts in Iran’

TEHRAN - Climatic change along with changes in precipitation patterns are the main reasons behind recurrent droughts haunting different parts of the country, head of National Disaster Management Organization has said.

Severe SDSs in southeast Iran leave dozens hospitalized

TEHRAN – Strong sand and dust storms (SDSs) are causing severe respiratory problems to the people in Sistan region, southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan, as some 171 patients have been hospitalized since August 20, head of Sistan-Baluchestan disaster mitigation and management organization has said.

Official warns of low levels of disaster preparedness in Tehran

TEHRAN — Ismail Najjar, head of National Disaster Management Organization, has warned of low levels of disaster preparedness in Tehran, YJC reported on Sunday.

Iran dispatches aircrafts to contain Hour al-Azim wildfire

TEHRAN – The National Disaster Management Organization of Iran has sent aircrafts to extinguish the wildfire hitting the Iraqi part of Hour al-Azim wetland.