Food and Agriculture Organisation Launches Cleanup Drive for Hawizeh Marshes

Baghdad, August 26, 2024 – In observance of World Water Week 2024, taking place between 25-29 August, and as part of the “Water is Life” initiative, the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Iraq, in partnership with the Iraqi government, local authorities, and fishermen, has launched a 10-day campaign to clean up the Al-Hawizeh Marsh from plastic waste and pollution.

The cleanup operation will target three key areas: Umm Al-Tous, Al-Zubair, and Al-Husseji (Al-Doub), with an estimated 100 cubic meters of plastic waste expected to be removed by the campaign’s conclusion.

“This initiative is vital to protecting water resources, wetlands and the riverine ecosystem, especially considering the severe water shortage, heat waves and drought that the marshes are exposed to, which are among the negative impact of climate change and water scarcity that this region in southern Iraq is witnessing,” said Dr. Salah El-Hajj Hassan, FAO’s Representative in Iraq.

Recently, the marshes have experienced extreme heat waves and a sudden decrease in water levels in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, severely impacting the ecosystem, buffalo breeders, farmers, and fishermen.

Dr. El-Hajj Hassan emphasised FAO’s ongoing commitment, in collaboration with national and international partners and donors, to tackling the adverse effects of climate change and water scarcity. He urged all stakeholders to come together in a spirit of cooperation to protect the marshes, address climate change, and secure the future well-being of those who rely on these critical resources.

FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa, Dr. Abdulhakim Al-Waer, highlighted: “The impacts of climate change are exacerbating water scarcity and challenging our ability to manage natural resources sustainably. Increasingly frequent and extreme weather events, droughts and floods are putting stress on our ecosystems, with negative consequences for agricultural production and food security”. He added: “On this occasion, we reaffirm FAO’s commitment to making every possible effort to address the impacts of climate change on Iraq and the region”.

This effort is an integral part of the wider “Water is Life” campaign, a joint initiative between the United Nations in Iraq and the Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources. The campaign, launched in response to Iraq’s pressing water challenges, aims to raise public awareness about the urgent need to protect and manage the nation’s dwindling water resources. It also encourages collective action to address this critical issue.

By driving this initiative forward, Iraq can make meaningful progress in conserving water and enhancing its management, laying the foundation for a sustainable and thriving future for the entire nation.

Source: Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO)