Attachments
OVERALL PROGRESS
Context
Iran is highly susceptible to seismic events, with earthquakes occurring frequently and resulting in severe humanitarian crises. Additionally, seasonal flooding poses a significant risk, often intensified by deforestation and inadequate infrastructure. For instance, in 2019, extensive flooding affected over 25 provinces, leading to loss of life, large-scale displacement, and widespread damage to homes and critical infrastructure. The World Risk Index 2023 and the vulnerability rate for Iran suggest that Iran has a relatively high level of vulnerability and the significant lack of coping capacities highlight the need for improved disaster preparedness and capacity building.
The challenges issuing from the pandemic, coupled with increasing US sanctions imposed in mid-2018, have led to the deterioration of Iran’s economy. Unemployment and inflation rates have increased, weakening the banking system and decreasing income generation in the country. With limited fiscal space and high inflation, economic pressures on poor households are expected to continue. The country’s recovery is projected to be slow and gradual. The repeated sanctions on Iran have led to a wide range of negative economic outcomes for Iran, which include the rapid devaluation of the Iranian currency, severe trade and fiscal deficits, inflation, and a rise in the poverty rates in the country
The imposition of economic sanctions on Iran has significantly hindered the country’s capacity to address humanitarian emergencies effectively. These sanctions have restricted access to vital resources, including medical supplies and equipment, thus impeding disaster response initiatives and worsening the effects of natural disasters on already vulnerable populations. Moreover, Iran is home to a substantial number of refugees, primarily from neighbouring Afghanistan. The country continues to face a multitude of humanitarian challenges, such as natural disasters, economic strain, displaced populations, and public health crises.