According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, since the year 1900 more than 11 million people have died as a result of drought and more than 2 billion have been affected by drought (1).

The Islamic Republic of Iran is located in arid and semi-arid regions and has experienced several major droughts. For example, over the past 40 years, the country has had more than 27 droughts (2). Figure 1 shows areas of the country affected by drought in 2016–2017.

Studies show that drought conditions will intensify in the coming years in 2025, 2032, 2034, 2035 and 2039, most parts of the country are likely to face severe or moderate droughts (4). In particular, the drought situation will be much more critical in 2039; it is estimated that most parts of the country will have less than normal rainfall in this year and will face extreme and severe drought. Only small parts of the west, north-west, south-west and south of the country will not be badly affected (4).

Droughts can have a substantial impact on society, the environment and the economy, as well as human health. The main health effects of drought are related to nutrition, waterborne disease, airborne and dust-related disease, vector-borne disease, mental health and other health conditions, and as a consequence of wildfires, migration and damage to infrastructure (5).