In a note about the recent incidents in Iran and activities of the Public Iranian Libraries, Jan Richards, [chair of IFLA public libraries committee], explained about how Iranian public libraries have helped flood-stricken people in various provinces of Iran. She concludes her note with this:
Many of you will have read about the extensive flooding that has occurred in the Islamic Republic of Iran over the past few weeks. The weather event that began in March has affected 28 of 31 provinces across the country. According to authorities 78 people have been killed and 1,076 injured.
It is estimated that 10 million people have been affected and that as many as 2 million may be in need of some form of assistance. At least 296,000 people reportedly remain displaced. The widespread dam- ages to the road and transportation network are making villages and small towns inaccessible. Against the background of this national disaster the Iran Public Library Foundation and the public library sector are working with the community to support the citizens of Iran, and in particular children and young people. Under the banner ‘Spring Kindness’ a program has been launched to dis- tribute books, games and toys to children in flood ravaged areas with libraries acting as deposit stations and the library infrastructure being used to deliver these items – don’t you love the convoy of Bookmobiles below? Libraries are also supporting relief efforts through use of their spaces to store goods and cook food. There are some wonderful images on the Foundation’s Instagram feed @iranpl. Further information on the floods is available on the relief web site.
A big ‘hats off’ to our colleagues in Iran!
