Before the Last Breath

Before the Last Breath

Middle East Images

Khuzestan is one of Iran’s 31 provinces. Located in the southwest of Iran, sharing a border with Iraq. Providing 83% of Iran’s oil and 16% of gas demand, yet it is among the country’s most impoverished provinces. Khuzestan has been the country’s largest source of water in recent years, and its presence is substantially important to the environment. Hour-al-Azim Lagoon dried up with the advancement of drought, and due to the movement of the lagoon bed dust particles by wind (i.e. haze), Ahwaz (capital city of Khuzestan) has become the world’s most polluted city in terms of particulate matter according to WHO’s report. As a result of this phenomenon, thousands of residents of Ahvaz and surroundings have left this area.
Many lagoons and water resources in the world are under the threat of extinction due to global warming. The absence of water in Hour-al-Azim Lagoon on the border of Iran and Iraq, along with the destruction of the Mesopotamian Lagoon in Iraq have influenced the lives and health of millions of people. Projects for transferring water from the source of Karun River and the construction of multiple dams have intensified the drought in Khuzestan Province. As a result of dust particles on the bed of the dried lagoons by wind, air pollution is sometimes 9985 microgram/cubic meter, which makes it 67 times above the standard level. Respiratory problems, burning eyes, and cardiopulmonary conditions especially threaten the lives of children, seniors, and pregnant women. This has led to a five-fold increase of prevalence of cancer in recent years.
Khuzestan was a destination for immigrants in the past due to its ample job opportunities. According to the director general of the Public Investment Office of the Department of Environment of Iran, 95% of the people of Khuzestan are intending to migrate. Moreover, according to the governor, out of the 4 million population, 200,000 have implemented this decision in the last 5 years. Since this situation has continued for 15 years, you can hear most people say “this city is not a place to live in anymore”. I penned this story to depict the effect of the water crisis on the health and lives of people.

Due to the movement of the lagoon bed dust particles by the blast of wind (i.e. haze), Ahwaz City (as the capital of this province) has become the world?s most polluted city in terms of particulate matter according to the WHO?s report. As a result of this phenomenon, thousands of the residents of this city and province have left this area in the past years. (Ahwaz, Khuzestan, Iran, November 21, 2017)
Kothar, a 4-year-old child suffering from cancer, is playing on his hospital bed. According to the chairman of Shafa Children Hospital, as the only hospital for child cancer patients in Khuzestan, there has been a 5-fold increase in the number of patients visiting this hospital. Children and the elderly are more prone to diseases. (Ahwaz, Khuzestan Province, Iran, June 21, 2017)
Mr. Chubin, an 80-year-old researcher and university professor, underwent a surgery two years ago but he passed away 12 hours after the surgery. His daughter and wife are packing to migrate to Tehran. According to the director general of the Public Investment Office of the Department of Environment of Iran, 95% of the people of Khuzestan are intending to migrate. Moreover, according to the governor of this province, of the 4 million population of this province 200,000 have implemented this decision in the past 5 years. (Ahwaz, Khuzestan, Iran, December 10, 2017)
An elderly man holding his medical file on his way to the hospital. The director of health services in Khuzestan advised children and seniors to stay indoors at all times during dust storms since they are the most vulnerable group.
Although the people of Ahwaz are recommended to stay home at times of peak pollution, they have to go outside to perform their everyday activities. According to the head of the environmental and professional health department of Khuzestan Health Center, children and the elderly are more prone to diseases and thus they are recommended to remain at home. (Ahwaz, Khuzestan, Iran, November 21, 2017)
It is suggested for the population of Ahvaz to stay indoors during the dust storms, but regardless of the warnings people leave their homes to run errands and to go to work. According to local health authorities children and the elderly are more at risk and suggest they?d stay indoors. Ahvaz, Khuzestan, Iran.
An 18-year-old girl, Arezu is trying to catch the rain. People?s lack of tolerance for the dust covering the city and the houses has created a mental and psychological crisis in this city. Rainfall can partly wash the dust away, but since Khuzestan is a tropical province, it has a low annual rainfall and precipitation has decreased by 30%. (Ahwaz, Khuzestan Province, Iran, March 24, 2017)
Shadegan Lagoon with 400,000 hectares is one of Iran?s water sources. According to the director of the local environmental protection agency only 20% of Shadegan Lagoon remains. Endangering the population, local farmers and livestock.
According to local environmental protection agencies only 20% of Shadegan Lagoon remains. With the drought worsened each year more than 20,000 of the 160,000 population have migrated. Many locals are concerned and frightful that Shadegan Lagoon will have the same destiny of Hour-Al-Azim.
Hour-al-Azim Lagoon, which is in the proximity of Shadegan Lagoon, has dried up due to the recent drought. Haboobs have been caused by the movement of the lagoon bed dust particles by the blast of wind. Following the objections voiced on the social networks and the media, the government has tried to restore the portions of Hour-al-Azim Lagoon that are situated in Iran. However, only one-third of this lagoon is located in Iran and the rest, which is located in Iraq, is still dry. (Hour-al-Azim Lagoon, Khuzestan, Iran, July 5, 2017)
With the drought worsening in recent years Hour-Al-Azim lagoon, adjacent to Shadegan Lagoon has dried. This has caused massive, annual dust storms. With pressure from the media, especially social media the government tried to revive the lagoon but was unsuccessful and the efforts weren?t long lasting. Hour-Al-Azim Lagoon, Khuzestan, border of Iran and Iraq.
Annually 310 million cubic meters of municipal and industrial sewage is poured in the Karun river, which eventually ends up in the lagoons and the Persian gulf. The dust storms caused by droughts make their way back in the city and cause numerous diseases.

The dust storms caused by droughts make their way back in the city. Once the storms happen, the air quality is 67% more polluted. Warnings are given to children and seniors to stay indoors. The dust storms cause business to shut down, diseases skyrocket, economical damages and environmental impact. Khuzestan provides 83% of Iran?s oil, and 16% gas. These turn of events make Khuzestan one of Iran?s most impoverished provinces.
On the National Arbor Day, a grandmother is teaching Zahra, her 8-year-old granddaughter, how to plant a tree on the banks of Karun River. One of the solutions proposed by the experts to solve the haze problem is to plant trees and shrubs in this province. (Ahwaz, Khuzestan Province, Iran, March 4, 2017)
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