Society

Ministry of Energy and UNICEF Join Forces to Enhance Water Supply in South Khorasan

January 25, 2025January 25, 2025

The collaboration between the Ministry of Energy and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has significantly improved water quality and accessibility in eastern Birjand’s villages, located in South Khorasan province. This initiative is crucial for ensuring that households have consistent access to water with adequate flow pressure, enhancing the overall living conditions in the area.

Completed in December 2024, this project involved the construction and rehabilitation of the water network in villages such as Dastgerd and Islamabad, effectively connecting them to the main water supply network in Darmian County. According to a press release from UNICEF on January 20, the project’s primary focus was on:

Rehabilitation and replacement of outdated and non-functional infrastructure.
Using high-quality materials to ensure a sustainable water supply.
Reducing water loss from leaks and enhancing water quality.

These enhancements have led to:

A significant reduction in water-related incidents.
Lower maintenance costs, which have improved consumer satisfaction.
Direct benefits to 1,729 individuals, including children, enhancing community resilience.

Furthermore, this initiative not only promotes financial development but also reduces water loss and mitigates the risk of waterborne diseases. Given the success of this project, UNICEF and the Ministry of Energy are planning to launch a pilot programme in the province. This programme aims to compare the efficiency of the current method of reducing water loss with traditional water supply methods that involve transferring water from distant resources.

This strategic approach tackles the critical issue of water scarcity, enhancing the quality of life for residents while fostering long-term sustainability in the region.

Improving Access to Safe Water

In the aftermath of the devastating floods that affected the Sistan-Baluchestan province, particularly in Chabahar and its surroundings at the end of February 2024, UNICEF has been instrumental in providing essential support to the affected communities. Access to safe and clean water has historically been a challenge in this region, exacerbating the impacts of the floods.

Recognizing the urgent need to address this issue, UNICEF has teamed up with the Ministry of Health and Medical Education and the Ministry of Energy to implement a comprehensive program aimed at improving access to safe water. This initiative is designed to:

Reduce waterborne illnesses among vulnerable families.
Build resilience within the community.
Ensure sustainable access to clean water.

UNICEF’s response to the water crisis has included critical support for water safety testing and purification. Siavash Oveisi Arian, a UNICEF volunteer Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) officer, stated, “Forty water disinfection devices have been procured and distributed. These solar-powered devices provide drinking water for approximately 200,000 people.”

Additionally, water quality testing laboratory equipment has been distributed across the province, enhancing the ability to ensure water safety for the large population in Sistan-Baluchestan. Fatemeh Fadaee, the Water and Wastewater Quality Control Manager of Chabahar County, elaborated, “We assess water quality in cities and villages, ensuring the safety of around one million residents.”

This enhanced capacity for water quality testing plays a critical role in protecting community health by reducing the risk of waterborne diseases and improving resilience against future public health challenges.

UNICEF’s Ongoing Support

UNICEF’s support for flood-affected children and their families in Sistan-Baluchestan includes the provision of hygiene kits, prefabricated latrines, showers, laboratory equipment, and water disinfection devices. This assistance has been made possible through generous financial support from EU Humanitarian Aid.

In response to the humanitarian crisis following the floods, UNICEF acted swiftly. In the first phase, they procured 2,900 essential hygiene packs, which included:

2,000 household hygiene kits
300 baby kits
500 Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) kits
100 incontinence kits

UNICEF prioritized the provision of safe water and sanitation services to households and communities affected by the disaster. This initiative is vital for ensuring that children and families remain safe and healthy.

In addition to hygiene kits, UNICEF delivered ten water tankers and over 3 tons of perchlorine powder to the affected areas, ensuring access to safe drinking water. This effort has been supported through generous funding from the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).

Through these comprehensive measures, UNICEF continues to address the pressing needs of communities affected by the floods, ensuring they have access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities.

Society

Tehran Aims to Forge Connections with Regional Science and Technology Parks

January 22, 2025January 23, 2025

Iran is strengthening cooperation with neighboring countries, particularly Iraq, by establishing partnerships focused on science and technology parks. Hossein Simaei-Sarraf, Minister of Science, emphasized Iraq’s interest in leveraging Iran’s expertise. The recent second Iran-Iraq Science Week in Karbala facilitated the signing of an action plan to enhance scientific collaborations, including 200 scholarships for student exchanges and joint educational programs. Both nations aim to boost training for professors and students, promote scientific supervision, and develop research infrastructure. This initiative seeks to foster sustainable development and technological advancement in the region through enhanced academic interactions.

Society

Surviving in Iran: The Struggle of Workers Against Poverty

December 30, 2024January 20, 2025

On December 29, market vendors in Tehran went on strike, protesting soaring prices and rampant inflation affecting working-class families. Housing costs have surged, consuming up to 62% of incomes, leading to increased homelessness and the decline of access to healthcare and education. Many families are forced to cut back on essential expenses, resulting in a rise in self-medication and health issues. Despite the economic crisis, the Iranian regime prioritizes military and nuclear investments over domestic welfare. Reports indicate that 82% of tenant households live below the poverty line, highlighting the urgent need for systemic change to improve living conditions.

Society

Iraq Aims to Strengthen Cooperation with Iran’s Anti-Narcotics Police to Combat Drug Trafficking

January 12, 2025January 20, 2025

Iraq’s anti-narcotics police chief, Ahmed Al-Zarkani, has called for enhanced cooperation with Iran to combat drug smuggling, highlighting the urgent need for joint efforts amid rising narcotics threats in both countries. During a meeting with Iranian counterpart Iraj Kakavand, Al-Zarkani praised Iran’s drug control initiatives and emphasized the importance of sharing intelligence on traffickers. Kakavand noted the necessity of cracking down on armed traffickers along their shared borders. Both nations aim to improve collaboration through simultaneous patrols and information exchange. Recognizing Iran’s commitment, the UNODC commended recent drug seizures, stressing the need for regional and international partnerships in tackling drug trafficking.

Society

Rising Poverty in Iran: Fueling Social Unrest and Threatening Regime Stability

January 6, 2025January 21, 2025

Ali Rabii, Iran’s Aide to the President for Social Affairs, highlighted the critical link between poverty and social unrest in recent discussions. He noted that 27% of Iranians live below the poverty line, exacerbating issues like school dropouts and chronic diseases. Rabii argued that poverty poses a serious security threat, contributing to instability and protests, particularly in 2022. He criticized the government’s failure to reduce poverty, attributing it to systemic corruption and mismanagement. With rampant economic challenges and public dissent rising, experts warn that Iran is approaching a critical juncture, risking further unrest amid deepening inequality and repression.

Society

Blood Donations Surge 2% in Just 9 Months: A Lifesaving Trend!

January 12, 2025January 20, 2025

Blood donation in Iran has increased by over 2% in the first nine months of the current calendar year, with 1,793,126 units donated. Key provinces showing significant growth include Kohgiluyeh-Boyerahmad (over 25%), Sistan–Baluchestan (15%), and Alborz (9%). The overall donation growth rate rose to 56%, with Semnan, Yazd, and Golestan leading. Women’s contributions reached 4.5%, with the highest participation from North Khorasan and Lorestan. Tehran accounted for over 16% of total donations. The previous year saw 2,327,997 donors, a 4.7% increase, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in health initiatives and continued promotion of blood donation.

Society

Japan Partners with WHO to Combat Malaria Surge in Sistan-Baluchestan

January 20, 2025January 22, 2025

In response to rising malaria cases, particularly in southeastern Iran, the Japanese government has donated vital resources to the World Health Organization (WHO). This includes 4,902 mosquito dome tents, 50,000 malaria rapid diagnostic tests, and 1,655 kg of insecticides, benefiting around 77,400 people. The resurgence of malaria is attributed to the 2022 floods in Pakistan and factors like poverty and poor sanitation. Local health workers are actively conducting screenings, distributing mosquito nets, and educating communities. The collaboration between Japan and WHO aims to bolster healthcare capacity and ultimately eliminate malaria in the region, fostering hope for affected populations.