Iran's Red Crescent Society has started a scheme to support the residents of the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan whose livelihood has been severely affected by a lingering drought.
The initiative involves providing water, food and medical care for the people.
According to Mahmoud Mohammadinasab, secretary general of IRCS, tankers with proportionate capacities for the population of villages are being installed in cooperation with the local offices of the Water and Wastewater Organization to supply a per capita quota of 20 liters per day.
"Long-term drought has derailed farming, animal husbandry and fishing which were once booming businesses in the region," he was quoted as saying by ISNA.
Ali Asghar Peivandi, chief of the society, said some 2,000 tankers have been prepared and are being distributed among 502 villages.
"A campaign has also been launched in line with IRCS's plan that encourages the public to donate water as a votive offering with the purpose of ensuring the continuation of the service," he said.
People can donate one bottle of mineral water for the drought-stricken people in the southeast by sending number 4 to 2099999.
Besides Sistan-Baluchestan, the campaign covers parts of Kerman and South Khorasan provinces as well, according to the official.
In addition, 50,000 deprived families have been identified for which food packages are prepared and will be distributed.
"Over 50,000 packages have been collected with a budget of over 200 billion rials ($4.7 million) for those who can hardly earn their livelihood as a result of drought."
At the same time, medical teams with 304 general practitioners are also providing primary care in 19 counties of the province in a one-week period, he added.
Peivandi noted that IRCS is not aiming to solve the problem of drought, although it will spare no effort to launch awareness-raising campaigns upon the request of relevant authorities. "But its purpose is to help the victims of the phenomenon."
The southeastern regions of Iran, particularly Sistan-Baluchestan, have suffered a severe lack of precipitation over the past 50 years.
The catchment area is over 40% short of rainfall compared to the 50-year average.
