Iraq faces devastating rates of climate change and a continuous decrease in rain

POSTED ON[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] BY [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

[size=52]Iraq faces devastating rates of climate change and a continuous decrease in rain[/size]

[size=45]Translation: Hamed Ahmed[/size]
[size=45]A report by the International Organization for Migration, in cooperation with the British aid organization (UK aid) and the United Nations Migration Network, stated that “Iraq is witnessing rapid population growth and expansion in the area of ​​urban neighborhoods, and this requires more water consumption.”[/size]
[size=45]He added, "The presence of influencing factors, such as high temperatures, lack of rainfall, severe drought and water scarcity with frequent dust and sand storms, may lead to devastating consequences in which people are forced to migrate internally unless preparations are made in advance for these possibilities and appropriate plans are put in place to prevent and mitigate them." .[/size]
[size=45]The report indicated that "Iraq, according to the United Nations Environment Program, has been classified as the fifth most vulnerable country to the consequences of climate change in the world."[/size]
[size=45]He pointed out that "the country will be subject to rising temperatures, insufficient and decreasing rainfall rates, severe droughts and water scarcity, as well as frequent dust and sand storms."[/size]
[size=45]The report expected, "The scope of climate change will reach destructive rates, without taking any preparations and planning to confront this problem by the government and international organizations."[/size]
[size=45]And he stated, "This may lead the Iraqis to search for other places to live in order to live," and pointed out that "the migration caused by climate change is currently present in Iraq."[/size]
[size=45]The report continued, "The International Organization for Migration recorded at the end of last year the displacement of nearly 200,000 people in ten governorates; For reasons related to water scarcity, high salinity and poor water quality.”[/size]
[size=45]He stressed, "The more severe the factors of climate change, the higher the potential displacement rate."[/size]
[size=45]The report considered that "preparing for the consequences of climate change and developing solutions to the risks associated with it, such as migration and other things, requires urgent and coordinated action."[/size]
[size=45]He noted, "to raise the problem of migration caused by climate change through several major forums and international and local workshops."[/size]
[size=45]The report stressed, "These forums provide Iraq with capabilities and capabilities, and allocate financial resources and technical and technological assistance in order to find solutions to meet the challenges associated with climate change." He stated, "A session is scheduled to be held for the international climate change conference, which is expected to take place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, for the period from 7 to 18 November 2022."[/size]
[size=45]The report continues, "This session will deal with holding formal discussions with countries to present their pledges and actions regarding climate change, and to discuss the climate crisis and solutions to confront it."[/size]
[size=45]And he added, "The Paris climate agreement, which provided the world with the first international agreement on climate change, which was reached in 2015, now provides the basis for negotiations between countries on the climate and is considered a strategic platform as it will focus on raising funds for countries facing such problems."[/size]
[size=45]The report finds, "This provides a vital opportunity for Iraq to ensure its needs in this regard and to include them on the agenda of the international conference, as the conference will take place in a region within North Africa and the Middle East, which also includes Iraq."[/size]
[size=45]The report added, "The Iraqi government, in March 2022, during the activities of the Second International Water Conference, which was held in Baghdad, put forward the national (Green Paper) project."[/size]
[size=45]He added, "The green paper aims to implement measures to mitigate the effects of climate change, support the trend towards alternative energy and focus on the economy."[/size]
[size=45]The report indicated that “the Minister of Planning confirmed during the conference the start of work on the green paper, and that the Council of Ministers had formed a committee to oversee its preparation and formulation. The United Nations participated in the advisory aspect of preparing this paper. And he stated, "The Iraqi side pledged, in accordance with the Paris Agreement, to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the industrial sector by 1-2%, taking a number of mitigation measures related to the energy sector and allowing for investment of $100 billion in the friendly energy sector over the next ten years."[/size]
[size=45]He cautioned, "Environmental changes such as droughts are increasing internal displacement through Iraq, while climatic changes in other cases lead to risks that affect human health, such as pollution, and also constitute a motive for migration."[/size]
[size=45]The report stated, “Iraq has witnessed repeated droughts since the 1970s,” while “water scarcity at the present time is a major environmental factor for displacement because it exposes people to deprivation of safe drinking water with the absence of food security, increased pollution and health risks.”[/size]
[size=45]He predicted that “the water scarcity situation will continue in the future, with the average annual rainfall expected to decrease by 2050, and to decrease by 17% during the rainy seasons.”[/size]
[size=45]The report stated, "The governorates of Basra, Maysan and Dhi Qar have witnessed, over the past decade, high internal displacement rates due to water scarcity, pollution and increased soil salinity."[/size]
[size=45]He stressed, "A part of the villages, especially in Dhi Qar, have emptied half of their homes of their residents," adding that "water shortages have caused, as of January of this year, new waves of displacement for 15,000 people in each of the governorates of Dhi Qar, Basra and Maysan. “.[/size]
[size=45]The report stated, "The International Organization for Migration recorded, in November 2021, the displacement of 12,348 people among 2,58 families from southern Iraq due to drought."[/size]
[size=45]And he stated, "Most of these families depend completely for their lives and livelihood on agriculture, livestock and fishing, and they do not have an alternative financial resource as a government job or something like that."[/size]
[size=45]The report stated, "The governorates of Karbala, Diwaniyah, Muthanna, Najaf and Wasit, and in central Iraq also witnessed cases of internal displacement due to climate change and water scarcity."[/size]
[size=45]He continues, "These governorates recorded the displacement of 5,922 people, making up 973 families," noting that "the most affected areas were rural areas, and most of the displaced people went to city centers to search for another source of income."[/size]
[size=45]The report recommends “taking measures and plans to mitigate the environmental effects of drought, providing support to families and communities affected by the consequences, and increasing resilience in urban population centers, in order to address the problem of displacement caused by climate change.”[/size]
[size=45]About: International Organization for Migration[/size]
[size=45][You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]