The social experience of drought in rural Iran

Using qualitative social research methods at the farm family level, this paper considers the social impacts of drought on two purposefully-selected villages in Fars Province, Iran. It examines the experience of drought on different types of farm families, specifically the less vulnerable, the resource poor, and the very resource poor. Our results show that all three groups experienced economic impacts of drought, but more importantly they all suffered major social impacts as well. The less-vulnerable families sought diversified sources of income in order to cope with drought. The vulnerable families (resource poor and very resource poor) were more affected by social and emotional impacts than less-vulnerable families. The economic and social impacts that were experienced included: reduced household income; shortage of alternative income sources; increased workload; conflict of water access and water use; food insecurity, shortages and associated malnutrition; health impacts and reduced access to health services; reduced access to education; inequitable drought relief and associated stress and conflict; rural to urban migration; impoverishment and reduced quality of life; psychological and emotional impacts including depression, frustration and alienation; changed family plans such as delaying marriage; and family and community disharmony and disintegration. Recommendations and implications for drought management policy are offered to reduce the negative social impacts of drought.

► Using qualitative social research methods at the farm family level, this paper considers the social impacts of drought in rural Iran.
► It examines the experience of drought on different types of farm families.
► All groups experienced economic impacts of drought.
► They all suffered major social impacts as well.
► The vulnerable families were more affected by social and emotional impacts than less vulnerable families.