Iran - Seasonal sandstorms disrupt normal life in the southern regions of Iran and also cause significant respiratory and lung diseases, like Tuberculosis. The notorious 120-day monsoon winds which hit the southeastern province, at times lead to drought. 
 
More recently, local news agencies has reported on the adverse effects of these dust storms on visibility. It cited that many provinces fall below the normal seeing distance of 10,000 meters. For example, in Ahvaz the seeing distance is 1,000 meters. The cause of these sand storms has been traced to the deserts in Southeastern Saudi Arabia and Northwestern Iraq. Lastly, it was reported that this problem will spread to other areas and proliferate during the remainder of this week as well as for the first part of the following week.

Iran - Iran is currently experiencing one of the worst droughts over the past one hundred years. A prime example of the devastating effects of drought on Iran is the International Shadegan Pond in Khuzestan located between Abadan and Mahsharh. It spans for four hundred thousand hectares with the bulk of it being reserved for wild animals.  This pond has many benefits for the local community. Firstly, it moderates the climate and reduces the occurrence of sand storms and hot, dry winds. This is especially important given that the temperature in this region rises above fifty degrees Centigrade in the summer and is very cold and dry during the winter. Secondly, it supports a wide variety of plant life, 21 of which have medical usages. Thirdly, it hosts migrant birds during autumn and winter time in addition to 154 types of birds as well as 40 types of mammal. Lastly, it is estimated to have created 5,000 jobs for local citizens and thus possesses high economic value for the area. In this pursuit, the Drought Task Force has decided to provide it with extra water from the Maroon Dam to alleviate the strain brought about by drought. 

Creation of Iranian Organization for Crisis Management
Upon a bill ratified by the Iranian Parliament (Majlis), the National Disaster Task Forces in Iran will be replaced by the Iranian Organization for Crisis Management. This initiative has been a great organizational development work within the Ministry of Interior. The said Organization would be active for the next five years as a pilot project. The below link provides the complete text of the said bill in Persian:
http://www.hamshahrionline.ir/News/?id=8861

Report Training workshop on Disaster Management | 9 & 10 July 2008 | Savojbolagh, Iran
Upon several requests of Tehran Provincial Disaster Task Force, OCHA Office in Tehran organized a training workshop on Disaster Management for governors and deputy governors of Tehran Province on 9 & 10 July 2008 in Savojbolagh, Iran. | English

Report Workshop on Community Based Disaster Risk Management | 15-Jun-08 | Tabriz, Iran
Following the request of Tabriz Municipality (East Azerbaijan Province in Iran), UNOCHA Tehran Office has organized a one – day workshop on CBDRM for the senior managers as well as experts from different sections of the Province. The main sessions have focused on OCHA’s role in Disaster and Climate Change Management, Gender in Emergencies, introduction to CBDRM and Integrated Disaster Management. | English

Workshop Report on United Nations, Disaster Management and Climate Change | 18 - 19 May 2008 | University of Tehran
UNOCHA Tehran, with cooperation of the Faculty of Environment of Tehran University and Iranian Sarv Association (NGO) organized a two day workshop on “United Nations, Disaster Management and Climate Change” (18-19 May) at Tehran University. It engaged a wide variety of actors drawn from civil society, academia and the United Nations in Iran. | English

Report Training Workshop on Gender In Emergencies | 18 December 2007 | UN, Tehran, I.R. of Iran
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) in Tehran and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Tehran organized a one-day workshop on "Gender in Emergencies” on 18th December 2007. Participants were from different Iranian ministries, governmental and non- governmental Iranian organizations, as well as the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), ICRC and some heads of provincial NDTFs (from 30 participant there were18 female and 12 male). | English

Report Workshop on Legal Framework of Humanitarian Assistance | 18 ‐20 November 2007 | Tehran, I.R. Iran
In the aftermath of the 1999 earthquake in Armenia, there has been some legal developments of humanitarian assistance and a renewed commitment on performance of the recepient and donor countries and also international organizations and non - governmental organizations (NGOs) at the time of disasters. | English

Report Workshop on Flood Management | 7-9 November 2007 | Babolsar, Mazandaran Province, Iran
Purpose of this presentation was to identify hazards, potential hazards in local locations, and to know how hazards become disasters and get knowledge on how to mitigate hazard risks. | English

Towards an Iranian Environmental Emergencies Centre Workshop Outcomes and Proposal for Iranian Environmental Emergencies Center | Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit | July 23-28 2005 | Tehran, Iran
The Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the world’s most disaster prone countriesi. Environmental issues and impacts may be both a cause and consequence of these disasters. For example, earthquakes can damage industrial facilities and cause spills of hazardous materials that damage the environment and endanger lives. | English

What does ‘UNOCHA’ stand for?
What does UNOCHA do?
Where can I get the latest humanitarian information?
How can I apply for a job with the UNOCHA Tehran Office?
Where does UNOCHA have offices in Iran?
What is the ‘IASC’?
What is a ‘CAP’?
What is a ‘CHAP’?
What is the ‘CERF’?
What is a ‘Flash Appeal’?
When did UNOCHA Iran come into being?
How do I learn more about the organization?
Does UNOCHA have an annual report, or a document describing activities and financial aspects?
Where is UNOCHA located?

What does ‘UNOCHA’ stand for?
UNOCHA stands for ‘United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’.
 
What does UNOCHA do?
UNOCHA was established to facilitate the work of operational agencies that deliver humanitarian assistance to populations and communities in need. In the field UNOCHA supports UN Humanitarian Coordinators (HCs) with needs assessment, contingency planning and the formulation of humanitarian programmes.  UNOCHA also provides response tools, advocacy and information services. Indeed, UNOCHA is mandated with coordinating and facilitating timely and effective disaster response operations by the UN system. It provides support to the UN resident coordinator in the field of disaster management as well as secretarial support to the United Nation’s Disaster Management Team (UNDMT). In the context of disaster preparedness and at times when the UN system is not engaged in any disaster response operations, UNOCHA mainly works on advocacy and capacity building. Moreover, UNOCHA has been networking with key international players, advocating for increased cooperation within the international community to ensure better preparedness and cooperation during disasters. 
  
Where can I get the latest humanitarian information?
The best single source of humanitarian information is the UNOCHA ReliefWeb site as well as UNOCHA website and IRAN.  Please refer to "useful links". 
 
How can I apply for a job with the UNOCHA Tehran Office?
You can find relevant vacancies at the link below:
http://www.un.org.ir/UN_Opportunities.asp

Where does UNOCHA have offices in Iran?
39 Sharzad Boulvard, Darrous, Tehran, Iran. P.O. Box 15874-4557

What is the ‘IASC’?
The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) is an inter-agency forum for coordination, policy development and decision-making involving key UN and non-UN humanitarian partners. Under the leadership of the Emergency Relief Coordinator, the IASC develops humanitarian policies, agrees on a clear division of responsibility for the various aspects of humanitarian assistance, identifies and addresses gaps in response, and advocates for effective application of humanitarian principles. For more information visit the IASC website .
 
What is a ‘CAP’?
The Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP) is a tool used by aid organisations to plan, coordinate, fund, implement and monitor their activities. As a planning and programming tool, the CAP contributes significantly to developing a more thoughtful approach to humanitarian action. As a coordination mechanism, the CAP fosters closer cooperation between host governments, donors, aid agencies, and in particular, between NGOs, the Red Cross movement, IOM and UN agencies. Visit the ROAP website ‘Appeals & Funding’ section for more information about the Consolidated Appeals Process.
 
What is a ‘CHAP’?
The Common Humanitarian Action Plan (CHAP) is a strategic plan for humanitarian response in a given country or region.  It provides:
§ A common analysis of the context in which humanitarian takes place;
§ An assessment of needs;
§ Best, worst, and most likely scenarios;
§ Identification of roles and responsibilities, i.e. who does what and where;
§ A clear statement of longer-term objectives and goals; and
§ A framework for monitoring the strategy and revising it if necessary.
 
What is the ‘CERF’?
The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) is a stand-by fund established by the United Nations to enable more timely and reliable humanitarian assistance to victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts.  The CERF has up to US $500 million, including a grant facility of up to US $450 million and a loan facility of US $50 million.  The CERF is funded by voluntary contributions from around the globe from Member States of the United Nations, private businesses, foundations and individuals. The Fund allows the UN to react immediately when a disaster strikes by making funding available for life-saving activities. Visit the ROAP website ‘Appeals & Funding’ section for more information about the CERF.
 
What is a ‘Flash Appeal’?
The Flash Appeal is a tool for structuring a coordinated humanitarian response for the first three to six months of an emergency. The UN Humanitarian Coordinator triggers it in consultation with all stakeholders. The Flash Appeal is issued within one week of an emergency. It provides a concise overview of urgent life saving needs, and may include recovery projects that can be implemented within the timeframe of the Appeal. Visit the ROAP website ‘‘Appeals & Funding’ section for more information about Flash Appeals.

When did UNOCHA Iran come into being?
UNOCHA Iran was established in 2003 to respond to the humanitarian needs after the earthquake in Bam. 
 
How do I learn more about the organization?
Refer to our leaflet.

Does UNOCHA have an annual report, or a document describing activities and financial aspects?
The UNOCHA annual report and major policy documents may be found in the below link:
http://ochaonline.un.org/FundingFinance/AnnualReports/tabid/1279/Default.aspx
 
Where is UNOCHA located?
Iran
39 Sharzad Boulvard, Darrous,
Tehran, Iran. P.O. Box 15874-4557
Phone: (+98 21)22860925-8

New York
United Nations, DCI – 1300, New York, NY 10017, USA
Phone: (+1 212) 963 5106

Geneva
Avenue de la Paix 8, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
Phone : (+41 22) 917 1234

Dubai
Dubai Humanitarian City, Building no. 4,
Doha Road, P.O. Box 506011, Dubai, UAE
Phone: (+9714) 368 1022