"Iran, Iraq and Syria have pledged to work together on the sandstorms plaguing the region. A three-party committee between the countries Ministries of Environment agreed to work with the participation of foreign experts and with the cooperation of United Nations agencies including UNEP, FAO and UNESCO. So far Dr. Meltem Karabeyoglu from Iraq, Dr. Jens Knudsen from Denmark, Dr. Rupert St. Gills from Switzerland and Dr. Ingrid Bauss-Howath from Sweden are the international experts confirmed by all three countries reported by the official Islamic Republic News Agency which also reported yesterday that Iran’s Department of the Environment signed a memorandum of understanding on combating the storms with Syria and Iraq. Part of the committee will focus to counter desertification and water scarcity issues. Iraqi Environment Minister Jassim al-Falahi said May 30 that Iraq’s recent diplomatic work on the issue focuses on “dealing with the challenges of dust storms, water scarcity and desertification,” the Iraqi News Agency reported.
The Middle East has been hit with numerous sandstorms this year. Iraq has been particularly affected, with thousands of people being admitted to hospitals due to complications from the storms. There was also a sandstorm in Syria today. The storms are caused by strong winds in desert areas. They occur when the winds lift sand and dust into atmosphere from bare and dry soil, according to the World Meteorological Organization. Increasing desertification in Iraq is also leading to food security issues."
Source: Islamic Republic of Iran News Agency
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