Iraq’s Water Crisis Growing Worse By The Month

 

Every week brings more bad news about Iraq’s water crisis. Four years of low rainfall and decreasing flows down the Tigris and Euphrates River have put the country on the brink of disaster. The government has failed to respond because it only gives lip service to caring about the public.

Iraq Announces New Water Initiatives As Global Warming Continues To Disrupt Economy And Lives

As summer nears the Iraqi government has announced several initiatives to address climate change. The question remains is if they will do enough as conditions continue to deteriorate and the country faces an environmental disaster.

Iraq Unveils Environmental Strategy

In September Iraq announced a six year national environmental strategy. While having backing of the international community it is unlikely to go anywhere like Iraq’s economic plans.

Norwegian Refugee Council Reports Climate Crisis In Iraq Getting Worse

Farmer in Baaj, Ninewa looking at what used to be farmland (Norwegian Refugee Council)

Iraq’s environmental crisis continues to worsen with no end in sight. The Norwegian Refugee Council just released a new report which provides more details on the situation.

Another Study Of Climate Change Induced Displacement In Iraq

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has started tracking Iraqis displaced by climate change. They have found the phenomena is increasing with each passing month. The group tried to deduce the main causes of this new dilemma Iraq is facing.

Study Of 3 Districts Of Iraq Dealing With Climate Change

(Getty Images)

Iraq is facing an environmental crisis with no end in sight. The country is beset by droughts, rising temperatures, desertification, and dust storms. The World Bank counted 15 natural disasters in Iraq over the last 30 years due to climate change. The Berghof Foundation did a study of three districts to look at how things are developing at the local level in the country.

More Iraqis Displaced Due To Climate Change

(IOM)

The United Nations said that Iraq is one of the top 5 nations in the world susceptible to climate change. Fertile land is becoming arid due to drought and desertification. Rain has decreased along with the flow of water down the Euphrates and Tigris due to dams in neighboring countries. Salinity and pollution in the water is increasing as well. Crops have declined as a result along with livestock and fishing. Thousands of people have left their homes because they can no longer make a living. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) released a survey for September 2023 that found the number of people displaced due to the environment has increased.

Climate change induced displacement increases in Iraq

(IOM)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the premier group working with the Iraqi government on the country’s displaced (IDP) problem. In recent years it has been documenting a new phenomenon which is people being forced out of their homes by climate change. The United Nations said Iraq is the fifth most vulnerable country to the environmental crisis.  In a July report the IOM noted that this new IDP population is increasing.

Increased Displacement In Iraq Due To Climate Change

(IOM)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) just issued a new report about continued displacement in central and southern Iraq due to climate change. The situation has gotten worse with more families leaving the land and the government appears to be incapable of providing help.