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Iran floods further add to public mistrust of government organizations

In addition to causing extensive damage and loss of life, the recent flooding in Iran has also made it more difficult for some Iranians to trust government organizations when it comes to aid and relief efforts.
An aerial view of flooding in Khuzestan province, Iran, April 5, 2019. Picture taken April 5, 2019. Mehdi Pedramkhoo/Tasnim News Agency/via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY - RC1D283A8CB0

This year, the Nowruz holidays in Iran were accompanied by unpleasant events. Heavy rainfall in the final days of March caused massive flooding in different regions across Iran, especially in the northern province of Golestan, the western province of Lorestan, the southern province of Khuzestan and some regions in the east.  

The Iranian Red Crescent Society soon announced a bank account where Iranians could make donations, and also offered to collect nonmonetary contributions. Yet many Iranians chose to go through channels not associated with the authorities to make donations. This approach, which has quickly become a trend in Iran, was not only seen during the recent flooding but also in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake that hit western Iran in November 2017.

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