Islamic Republic of Iran: Humanitarian Update No. 01 | As of 17 March 2026

This Humanitarian Update is produced by OCHA Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (ROMENA) in collaboration with UN agencies and humanitarian organisations. It covers the period from 28 February to 17 March 2026.

Highlights

• Ongoing airstrikes have caused high numbers of civilian casualties, damage and displacement.
• Airstrikes on infrastructure, including a desalination plant and fuel depots, have disrupted some basic services and created serious public health and environmental risks.
• The conflict has hindered livelihoods and businesses, caused stress and trauma among affected communities, and posed challenges to first responders.

KEY FIGURES

1.2K+ People killed

17K+ People injured

2.5M+ People in impact radius

54K+ Civilian units damaged

Situation Overview

Since 28 February 2026, the human toll of heavy air strikes in Iran, often in densely populated areas, has continued to rise. Casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure have been reported in at least 20 provinces, mostly in Tehran as well as Isfahan, Kermanshah, East Azerbaijan and Alborz provinces. The hostilities have forced millions of people to relocate to safer areas, in addition to causing high levels of stress and trauma. Damage to civilian infrastructure has been extensive, including schools, health facilities, homes, and cultural and commercial sites. Strikes on 7 March 2026 damaged refineries, setting four of them on fire in Tehran alone. The resulting dense smoke over Tehran prompted Government warnings of toxic and acidic rain, while people were initially advised to remain indoors. Essential services have been disrupted in some locations. Loss of water supply to more than 25 villages on Qeshm Island has been reported following a strike on 7 March that damaged its desalination plant. Damage to electricity networks has led to reported power outages in Tehran and other major cities. According to the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, airstrikes have also damaged at least 56 cultural heritage sites, including major landmarks in Tehran, such as the Golestan Palace, UNESCO-listed areas in Isfahan, key heritage buildings in Kurdistan and Lorestan provinces, and other sites in Kermanshah, Bushehr, and Ilam.

Masses of civilians have reportedly left the larger affected cities towards safer areas. In the first days of the crisis, population movements have been difficult to monitor. An initial assessment commissioned by the Government and carried out by local organizations estimates that between 600,000 to one million households (amounting to some 3.2 million people) are displaced as of 12 March 2026. The Government has opened public shelters and provided alternative accommodation for people wishing to leave urban areas or whose homes have been destroyed or severely damaged.

Iran hosts 1.65 million refugees and others in need of international protection, mostly Afghans, who are particularly vulnerable, given their already precarious situation and limited support networks. About 24,600 people have returned to Afghanistan since 28 February 2026. Previous large-scale returns to Afghanistan in 2025 were largely attributed to the implementation of the Regularization Policy of Iran following the expiry of the so-called “temporary status of Headcount Slip holders”, impacting an estimated population 2.6 million people.