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Iraq: World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
Iraq is today one of the countries most exposed to the effects of climate change, ranked fifth in the world for most vulnerable countries according to IOM data.
Publié le 17/06/2025 | Temps de lecture : 3 min
In March 2025, more than 172,000 people were already displaced by extreme weather events. In the governorate of Qadisiya, in the south of the country, the situation is particularly alarming. Agriculture, the mainstay of the local economy, is in decline due to the combined effects of drought, heat waves, flash floods and sandstorms. These upheavals have led to a mass exodus from rural areas to the cities, exacerbating pre-existing socio-economic tensions.
The Al Shafiyaa district: at the heart of the climate challenge
In the Al Shafiyaa district, water resources are becoming increasingly scarce. The population, often forced to buy water from cisterns or consume contaminated groundwater, faces a growing health risk. Infrastructure – roads, irrigation systems, schools, health centers – has been severely damaged by extreme weather conditions. Women, farmers and agricultural workers, who make up a significant proportion of the local population, are particularly hard hit by unemployment and extreme poverty.
An integrated response
In response to these growing challenges, Première Urgence Internationale, with the support of the Fondation pour le Logement des Défavorisés, is implementing an integrated project in the Al Shafiyaa district. The project has four complementary focuses:
- Rehabilitation of shelters and community infrastructure
- Faced with housing conditions that are ill-suited to the vagaries of the climate, Première Urgence Internationale is carrying out rehabilitation work to improve the safety and health of homes and public infrastructures. The aim is to guarantee dignified living conditions and protect residents from sandstorms and heat waves.
- Access to drinking water and sanitation
- To alleviate water shortages, filters are installed directly on taps, giving families safe access to drinking water, particularly during the dry season from May to October.
- Mental health and psychosocial support
- Group sessions are organized to strengthen social ties, promote well-being, impart life skills, reinforce a sense of belonging and community, and raise awareness of the protection of children’s rights.
- Community awareness
- Première Urgence Internationale teams raise awareness of climate change adaptation strategies and good hygiene practices, in view of reducing health risks and encourage responsible water management.
Towards more resilient, supportive communities
Beyond the immediate humanitarian response, Première Urgence Internationale’s approach aims to develop more resilient and sustainable communities. Access to decent housing, drinking water, psychological support and information is seen as an essential lever for enabling populations to live in safety and dignity.
Since 2021, the partnership with the Fondation pour le Logement des Défavorisés has helped to improve living conditions for communities affected by displacement in Iraq. A recent external evaluation highlighted the positive impact of this multi-sectoral approach, capable of meeting urgent needs while fostering longer-term development.
In Iraq, as elsewhere, the climate crisis calls for humane, coordinated responses rooted in local realities. It is in this direction that Première Urgence Internationale and its partners continue to act, so that the most vulnerable populations are not forgotten in the face of the environmental emergency.
To learn more about :
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our mission in Iraq
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our action in protection
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our action in mental health
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our action in water, sanitation and hygiene
