This Emergency Appeal seeks a total of 5,1 million Swiss Francs to enable the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) to deliver assistance and support to about 150,000 people for nine months, with a focus on the following areas: Shelter; Livelihoods and basic Needs; and Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI). The planned response reflects the current situation and information available at this time and will be adjusted based on further developments and more detailed assessments. Details will be available in the Emergency Plan of Action (EPoA)

The disaster and the Red Cross Red Crescent response to date

16 March 2019: Severe rainfalls and flash floods hit most of the Iranian provinces affecting thousands of people

29 March 2019: 499,751 Swiss francs is allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to enable 3,000 most vulnerable flood-affected households (15’000 people) to meet their basic needs through unconditional cash grants.

06 April 2019: IFRC issues Emergency Appeal for 5,1 million Swiss francs to deliver assistance to 150,000 people

The operational strategy

Needs assessment and people targeted

As a result of unprecedented rainfall, on 16 March 2019, a widespread flooding began with flash floods and landslides in Golestan Province, subsequently spreading further north and east, causing extensive damage to people, livelihoods and infrastructure. At least 23 out of 31 provinces across Iran are affected. While the exact impact is still to be assessed, it is already apparent that the floods have caused extensive damages and suffering in villages, urban and rural areas. Further heavy rain is expected over the coming days which will likely worsen the situation.

To date, 1,905 cities, villages and mountainous roads have been affected by the disaster resulting in the death of 70 people. The estimated financial impact of damages to agriculture and infrastructure reaches millions of dollars.

The first needs assessment was conducted immediately after the onset of the disaster, assisted by IRCS helicopters and boats. IRCS evaluated at-risk communities, which are sheltered in public evacuation centres such as stadiums, halls and mosques. IRCS registered displaced families and distributed household items and emergency food packages. An IFRC assessment team will be deployed in the coming days to support the IRCS field teams to conduct detailed needs assessments and develop the EPoA with a detailed budget.