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Ordinary people have set up 'walls of kindness' to help homeless people in Iran

As temperatures drop, ordinary Iranians are ensuring those in need don't suffer the cold.

Random "walls of kindness" have been popping up in major cities, prompting people to leave old warm clothes out for those without a home or shelter this winter.

According to the BBC the project started in the north-eastern city of Mashhad, where someone installed hooks and hangers on a wall alongside the words:

If you don't need it, leave it. If you need it, take it

However, while some applaud:

This is a great initiative. Hope it spreads across Iran


"People are helping each other out in a country with so much wealth," one critic wrote on Facebook. "Those in charge seem not to share similar concerns as that of the people."

In spite of promises made by president Hassan Rouhani, Iran is still in the grip of a recession and low employment. As a result the number of homeless people in big cities has only increased.

Official figures sate that 15,000 are homeless in Iran, but other reports suggest there are as many as that in the capital alone.

More: This Syrian refugee has been handing out free food to the homeless in Berlin

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