Climate Crisis in Iran Leads to Mass Displacement

Tens of Thousands Forced to Migrate Due to Droughts and Water Scarcity

• Iran is experiencing a severe climate crisis, with record temperatures, prolonged droughts, and the drying up of rivers and lakes displacing tens of thousands of Iranians each year.
• Many of the climate migrants are farmers, laborers, and fishermen who are moving with their families from the countryside to major urban areas in Iran in search of alternative livelihoods.
• While the exact number of climate migrants is unknown, Iranian media estimated that around 42,000 people in 2022 were forced to migrate due to the effects of climate change.
• Some Iranian officials have warned that many parts of the Islamic republic could eventually become uninhabitable, leading to a mass exodus from the Middle Eastern country.
• Iran's failed efforts to remedy water scarcity, including dam building and water-intensive irrigation projects, have contributed to the drying up of rivers and underground water reservoirs.

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