Devastating floods in Iran take dozens of lives

A humanitarian crisis has broken out in Iran due to two weeks of ongoing rain, causing deadly flooding. Authorities say that over 2 million people have been affected by this relentless storm, causing over $2.5 billion in damages.

Agriculture has been completely destroyed which makes up an estimated 14% of their GDP.

Twenty-five out of 31 of Iran’s provinces have been affected. Officials report that 76 people have been killed, with an estimated 150,000 homes partially or completely destroyed. Bridges around the country and hundreds of miles of road are left unusable.

In the city of Ahwaz, who is known for their oil, has turned a local sports stadium into a place for rows of Red Crescent tents to house people who are left with no where to go.

The aid group, the Muslim world’s equivalent to the Red Cross, is working with the government to respond to the disaster.

Many people are frustrated at the recovery effort, so they pressed themselves against the gates of the Red Crescent building screaming that they didn’t have enough food, medicine or tents.

Some of those gathered at the gates for the hope of aid had not been directly affected by the floods.

“Two women in their 60s, Sultaneh Imani and Shamsi Malekipoor, traveled from a nearby village despite being fortunate enough to escape the worst of the floods. Life was already so difficult, they told NBC News, that they were hoping get something, anything, from the aid group to help them get by.” (NBC)

Poverty is extremely prevalent in this part of the world and the economy was already struggling before the weather destroyed multiple cities.

For those who were already having a tough time in general, the floods have left many hopeless with no food, water, shelter, or money.