Iraqi Parliament pursues fair water distribution amid drought crisis

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Sayir al-Jabouri, a member of the Iraqi parliament's agriculture and water committee, has announced new efforts to collaborate with Turkey and Iran to ensure equitable distribution of Iraq's water share next summer.

Jabouri highlighted the urgency of addressing Iraq's water crisis, which poses a significant threat to the nation's agricultural sector and exacerbates environmental challenges, leading to rural-to-urban migration and substantial economic losses.

Iraq's vulnerability to water shortages is underscored by a recent UNESCO report, which ranks the country among the Arab nations most at risk. With 25 countries facing water pressure and over 80% of available water allocated to various sectors such as agriculture, livestock, industry, and households, Iraq's water resources are under severe strain.

The Middle East and North Africa are particularly affected, with countries like Qatar, Lebanon, Bahrain, the UAE, and Oman among those grappling with acute water shortages.

UNICEF's data further underscores the global water crisis, with 2.2 billion people lacking access to safe drinking water and 3.5 billion deprived of clean and hygienic water sources. Shockingly, 419 million individuals practice open defecation, exacerbating health risks and environmental degradation.

As Iraq confronts these pressing challenges, collaborative efforts with regional partners and international organizations are crucial to developing sustainable solutions and safeguarding water resources for future generations.