Health Minister on Dust Crisis: Don't Look for Blame in Ministries

The Iranian Health Minister stated that the internal causes of the dust crisis in Khuzestan province are related to decreased rainfall in the region and the drying up of the Hoor al-Azim wetlands and southeastern areas of Khuzestan, emphasizing that there should be no search for blame within ministries. Meanwhile, the head of Iran's Environmental Protection Organization announced the preparation of an 'executive action package and funding to combat dust in Khuzestan,' which will be reviewed in the upcoming cabinet meeting. Khuzestan has recently faced a severe air pollution crisis caused by dust storms. Health Minister Hassan Hashemi, representing the President, visited Khuzestan on Wednesday, February 22, inspecting areas such as Susangerd, Hoveyzeh, Talaiyeh, and the zero border point in the Hoor al-Azim wetlands. According to the Mehr News Agency, Hashemi told reporters, 'Part of the dust problem is related to Iraq, and another part is due to reduced rainfall and the drying of the Hoor al-Azim wetlands and southeastern areas of the province. I believe that instead of looking for blame in ministries and related organizations, we should scientifically find appropriate solutions to this problem.' He further stated, 'During our visit to Hamidiyeh, Susangerd, Hoveyzeh, Talaiyeh, Jafir Koshk, and the Hoor al-Azim wetlands at the zero border point, it became clear that a significant portion of the dust was from this area, and the wind blowing from Iraq confirms this issue.' He noted that the dust crisis in Khuzestan developed very 'quickly,' necessitating that the meteorological organization be equipped with rapid warning systems to inform the public sooner. Hashemi ultimately emphasized the need to utilize international studies and researchers who have sufficient expertise in the country's ecosystem to take steps to address this issue. The dust crisis in Khuzestan has led to protests in Ahvaz, where demonstrators have chanted slogans such as 'You took our water and oil, all we have left is dust' and 'Clean air is our legitimate right.' According to official statistics from Iranian government agencies, air pollution levels in some areas of Khuzestan have exceeded 66 times the standard limit. This led to 230 people being hospitalized in treatment centers and emergency rooms in Khuzestan on Tuesday due to dust-related health issues. Meanwhile, Masoumeh Ebtekar, head of Iran's Environmental Protection Organization, announced on her Facebook page that a special meeting was held with Eshaq Jahangiri, the First Vice President of Iran, and the Ministers of Oil, Roads and Urban Development, Energy, Health, and the head of the Meteorological Organization to address the dust problem in Khuzestan. According to Ebtekar, the result of this meeting was the preparation of an 'executive action package and funding to combat dust in Khuzestan,' which will be presented in the cabinet meeting on Sunday, followed by a delegation of deputies and representatives from relevant executive bodies visiting Ahvaz. Previously, crisis management officials in Khuzestan had announced that the dust crisis would persist on Thursday, and all relevant organizations are on standby. In this context, '70 to 80 percent of Iran's wetlands are in critical condition.' The continued closure of public places in Khuzestan and West Azerbaijan due to dust has led to the closure of offices in 11 counties in Khuzestan. The situation in Ahvaz is dire, with the third wave of dust storms occurring within two weeks.