Assessment of Rural Vulnerability to Sand and Dust Storms in Iran

Climate-related hazards such as sand and dust storms (SDS) have various impacts on human health, socio-economy, environment, agroecosystems. Iran has been severely affected by domestic external SDS during the last two decades. Considering fragile economy of Iran’s rural areas strong dependence livelihood agroecosystems, cause serious damage to communities. Therefore, there is an urgent need conduct a vulnerability assessment for developing risk mitigation plans. In this study, components were formulated through geographic information system (GIS)-based integrated approach using composite indicators. By implementing GIS multiple-criteria decision analysis (GIS-MCDA) model socioeconomic remote sensing data, map was produced. Our results show that about 37% experienced high very levels SDS. Rural in southeast south Iran, especially Sistan Baluchestan Hormozgan provinces are more vulnerable The findings study provide basis disaster risk-reduction plans enabling authorities prioritize policies at provincial administrative scale Iran.