There are problems with the law, implementation, and budget shortage. These are all things that can be understood from a conversation with a member of the 11th Parliament’s Civil Commission in the Islamic Council.
There is a common opinion between Khat-e-Solh magazine and Ismail Hussein Zahi, a representative of the 11th Parliament from Sistan and Baluchestan province, in the electoral district of Khash, Mirjaveh, Nasrat Abad, and Korein, and a member of the 11th Parliament’s Civil Commission, that we are facing an unbalanced development of safety against natural disasters in Iran.
Khat-e-Solh magazine, with a focus on safety against natural disasters and with questions about the law, implementation, and budget situation in this area, went to talk to this member of the 11th Parliament’s Civil Commission.
In the opinion of this representative of the Parliament, the problem of this unbalanced development of safety is both

In your opinion and based on past experiences, how prepared is Iran for natural disasters such as earthquakes?

Our country is located on earthquake-prone faults. According to the 2800 regulations (Building Design Regulations for Earthquakes), all institutions, including the engineering system, municipalities, housing foundation, and other responsible institutions, must comply with these regulations and related laws. The engineering regulations are also a new addition. We are following up in the civil commission to ensure that contractors and supervisors build and construct based on technical principles in cities and villages. As I mentioned, our country is located on many faults. We face natural disasters. One is an earthquake. One is a flood. Others are storms that we face in some provinces. There is also a need for the people to cooperate without any hesitation. Our dear compatriots are willing to spend a lot of money for many general issues, but they are not willing to cooperate even a little for the stability of buildings. This cooperation needs to be two-sided.

In recent years, we have experienced many earthquakes and floods. In your opinion, how has the performance of executive agencies been in this area?

Our urban management must pay special attention. In terms of construction, it is necessary to follow the five-step process that the municipality must report to the engineering system. Municipalities themselves must also have excellent supervision through technical offices. Relying on the technical inspector’s report is not a criterion for action. Unfortunately, in the 100th article commission of municipalities, because of the issue of unauthorized buildings, most of them try to impose fines without considering whether the technical problem has been solved or not. One of the discussions that we are currently pursuing in the Civil Commission of the Parliament is the amendment of Article 100. In addition to the fact that the engineering system is accountable, the urban management itself should also be held accountable and the violation should be considered a crime. This means that if there has been a violation in the past, it should now be considered a crime. Our compatriots have been paying both financial and human costs for years. It is necessary to pay special attention to this issue

So do you think the situation will improve with this decision?

Yes.

As there are many criticisms towards supervision by the engineering system.

It is correct. Some of the dear ones who are members of the engineering system are also members of the civil commission and fortunately, they are very eager to resolve this issue.

In 2019, the National Crisis Management Law was enacted. How much do you think this law will help with ensuring the safety of citizens against natural disasters?

Fortunately, since the day it was made into law and announced, people have been following it. Both the observers and the executors, both of them. It is agreed to abide by the announced law. Some follow-ups have been done to amend and strengthen the law. In my opinion, it is necessary for us to pay special attention to this law. The executors of the law are also involved in organizations in this field. It may take some time for them to comply with this law themselves.

Okay, so in what timeframe should we expect this law to be fully implemented and improved?

The law is currently being implemented by the authorities. It is necessary for the people to also participate in this matter in some way. I hope that, God willing, we will achieve what the law aims for.

We are facing a crisis of imbalanced safety due to uneven development in our country. Development in this area is not balanced, with smaller cities compared to larger cities and peripheral provinces compared to central provinces. Are measures being considered to create this balance? Can we witness balanced and equitable regional and national development?

One of the problems is this. We say that the indicators should be fair. Some of our provinces are less developed, some are deprived, and some are developed. We are discussing with our colleagues in the parliament to find a way to bring the less developed provinces to the level that the prosperous provinces are facing. Unfortunately, the issue is not being addressed based on population indicators. But we hope that with the efforts of our colleagues in the parliament, as of now, eighteen or nineteen provinces are pursuing this issue, it will be achieved.

Well, do you think the problem here is a budget shortage or a deficiency in the performance of executive agencies?

The problem is twofold: both the budget and the executive apparatus. This approach has been ongoing in the past years and continues. Now, representatives are pursuing the issue of amending the budget law. It has been approved in the public session and has been sent to the Guardian Council, where minor criticisms have been made. We certainly hope that with the amendment of the budget, we can reach the less developed provinces and cities. Because in this matter, the main issue is the budget. We hope that the budget amendment will be carried out. Because since the beginning of the revolution, this budget approach has been pursued. But fortunately, the eleventh parliament is following up to amend this issue.

Does it mean that until the end of the tenth session, this budget allocation has not been fair?

This budget that has been proposed now is based on previous codes and rows. Our colleagues are now following up to make sure the revisions are implemented. I believe that once the revisions are made, there will be significant changes in it.

Do you think the problem is simply an unfair perspective or a biased perspective?

The focus is on the center. The Organization for Planning and Budget has not made any changes to these predicted rows and credit codes since they were established. We hope that the amendment that is currently being proposed will pay special attention to provinces like ours, such as Sistan and Baluchestan, which are less developed and less fortunate.

In every crisis and natural disaster, we are faced with a multitude of organizations that come into the issue. Red Crescent, Relief Committee, Basij, etc. What do you think should be done to unify the command of crisis management for this?

Crisis management is under the Ministry of Interior according to the new law. But your opinion is also reasonable. The Red Crescent is a non-governmental organization that needs to be involved. The assistance provided through the International Red Cross goes to NGOs. But it must be approved by law. Many of our colleagues in the parliament want medical emergencies, crisis management, and the Red Crescent to be unified. They need to see how their charter is structured. They need to make changes. I also agree with your opinion that they should be unified.

Does that mean nothing has happened so far? Because we are now four decades after the revolution.

Every organization is now building its own structure. It also follows the law, it is not outside the law. The Red Crescent has inherent duties. The Relief Committee has its own duties. Crisis management has a charter and its own duties. But all of these must have a commander, which is now referred to the Ministry of Interior. Its secretary is also specified. In cities, there is a governor. In provinces, there is a governor. But it is necessary to make changes to them.

Does this mean that the main issue here is a legal issue?

Yes.

We always say prevention is better than cure. From the Manjil earthquake and Rudbar flood to today, how much do you think has been invested in this prevention?

In recent decades, earthquakes have caused less casualties and damages compared to the past. With the implementation of new laws and their enforceability, fortunately, there are fewer casualties. However, prevention is necessary. As I mentioned, our country is located among active fault lines. It is necessary for technical principles to be followed by engineers and contractors. And hopefully, they will not only focus on minimizing costs, as an earthquake can strike at any moment.

In general, what is your summary as a representative of the parliament, of the problems we face in this field in our country?

I hope that both city management and the engineering system adhere to the laws, as most constructions take place in cities, especially in major cities. I hope that both the municipality, councils, engineering system, and people, whether in terms of construction, detailed planning, or comprehensive planning, pay special attention and cooperate.

Don’t you think that if there were laws in place and they were seriously enforced in this area, the issues wouldn’t be resolved?

Yes, we are saying the same thing. The city management now believes that because construction projects have supervisors and executors, they no longer need to go and inspect to see if there are any violations or not. The municipality, which is responsible for construction projects in the city, needs to have its own excellent supervision from the beginning of construction, in addition to the supervisors who are doing their own work, and interact with the engineering system. In my opinion, this is the best way to do things. The discussion about Article 100 that I mentioned, which the parliament is working on, I think it will greatly help with construction projects in the city.

Does Article 100 address the issue of inter-agency conflicts in the field of violations?

No, it should become a law. If construction problems were considered violations until now, they have now turned into crimes and criminal activities in this area will be prosecuted.

Thank you for the time you have given to the peace line.