Seven severe sandstorms have hit Iraq in the span of one month, causing one death and an estimated 5,000 hospitalizations according to the country's health ministry. Sandstorms, also known as dust storms, have been increasing in frequency in Iraq as drought, soil degradation and climate change result in a drier climate more prone to sandstorms. The health ministry said those affected the most by the storms have been the elderly and people with respiratory conditions like asthma.