Reported by PMOI/MEK
Iran, November 13, 2018 – Iran- Zeinab Fathali Poor, an expert in the Social Welfare Bureau of Khuzestan province, southwest Iran, revealed that, “over 12,000 children in Khuzestan are deprived of education, many of whom just have no footwear to go to school.”
“Many of children in the province are stopped by very basic necessities as many of them just do not have a pair of shoes to go to school”, she added.
Oil and poverty in Ahvaz
Oil and Poverty
Oil reserves bring money and power. However, Khuzestan which is sitting on an ocean of oil, is struggling hopelessly against poverty.
The general manager of the bureau of nutrition improvement, which is a branch of the Ministry of Health, stated that people of Khuzestan are suffering from malnutrition.
Local press in the ancient city of Masjed Soleyman, northeast of the province, has raised the red alert for the growing number of suicides committed in the city because of poverty and unemployment.
The city of Ramhormoz is known for the export of 700,000 petroleum barrels per day, but the rate of unemployment in the city is exceeding 50 percent.
While the city of Shadegan southwest of the province is just 17km away from one of the largest rivers of Iran, Karun, the city, is suffering from poverty and lack of water. A member of the Iranian regime’s parliament exposed the facts saying, “people of Shadegan need water to stay alive! Need work to have their lives, and they need the basic necessities to enjoy dignity.”
“Where should I point out to describe the terrible situation in Shadegan? Unhealthy drinking water? Transfer of Shadegan’s water to other places and leaving unpurified water for the people to drink? Drying the Shadegan pond out? The hot weather with the heat of 50°C? Rate of divorces is increasing and people are struggling financially… people have nothing to eat except bread and tomatoes!” the MP added.
The situation of the people in Minoo Island and Shalamche, in the western fringes of the province, is not better. Reports show that many families have just one set of school uniform for their girls, and they have to take turns wearing them. Also in Shalamche, many girls have to quit education as their families cannot afford the cost of education or even the high cost to commute to school.
The phenomenon of poverty in Khuzestan province has a direct link to the regime’s policies and corruption in the power hierarchy, which is worsening the situation as time passes.
Strike and protest by Haft Tappeh Sugarcane factory workers
The province is now witnessing continuous strikes against the regime’s policies– Periodic strikes of Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Mill in central Khuzestan and taxi drivers have become a fixture of daily life in the province. Many factories have been closed down due to the wrong policies taken by the regime.
In addition to many economic woes, the impoverished Iranian province of Khuzestan has been hit hard by drought, pollution, and a water crisis
Many farmlands and date trees have dried out due to the devastating projects of the IRGC building dams on rivers to serve their own needs. The farmers of Khuzestan are suffering the consequences, losing access to vital water sources for their lands.
As the regime ratchets up oppressive measures against the Iranian people and Arab minorities in the province, the people of Khuzestan are readying themselves for another uprising against the dictatorship.
