Addressing Displacement and Climate Challenges in Iraq: A Human Resources and Rule of Law Perspective

Tens of thousands of displaced people, demographic change, and fading hopes. Dhi Qar is looking for a "solution" to thirst

The government talks about continuous attempts at the drought crisis

With the advent of summer every year, hopes of government promises to solve the problem of water shortages that cause desertification of large areas in Iraqi regions, and the drying up of the livelihoods of its people, and Dhi Qar is one of those areas that were not excluded by the effects of climate change or the repercussions of the precautionary plans of neighboring countries.

?Extreme thirst is pushing tens of thousands of families across Iraq to leave their money and conditions in their areas and head to other, more stable areas that have not yet reached the term.

The Iraqi government promised to solve the water problem, after the visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Baghdad, and the signing of a strategic agreement that included a framework for water cooperation between them. But talk did not cancel the reality, nor did it help the dying cities on the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates. Thousands of Dhi Qar sons and sisters continue to abandon their lands and go to more refreshed areas.

Earlier, the advisor to the governor of Dhi Qar announced that 9,607 families were displaced due to the repercussions of the drought that the province was exposed to in multiple areas. He pointed to "serious" repercussions that prompted population migration to occur "for the first time" in the marsh and northern Dhi Qar areas that live on the Gharaf River basin.

?Biggest Affected

Iraq ranks fifth among the countries most affected by the effects of climate change in the world, and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani said last March that 7 million Iraqis have been affected by climate change, with global warming causing waves of drought, sandstorms and dust waves.

Climate change may lead to demographic changes in affected areas, increasing tension and violence over sources of income, employment, etc. Questions arise about the fate of these displaced people, the fate of their areas, and the government's plan to confront the crisis.

?

More than 50,000 displaced

Laith Dakhil, director of the branch of the Ministry of Migration and Displacement in Dhi Qar, explained that more than 10,000 families have been displaced in their areas in the governorate due to the climate, and that these families have been deported within years, and the cadres of the Immigration Department continue to conduct surveys around them and provide them with material assistance.

He said that the families displaced by climate change were stripped of desertification and the drying up of the marshes, from 2019 to 2023, adding that "their data was verified in communication with the heads of administrative units, and the number of displaced families reached 10,500 families. with an average of 5 members per family."?That is, the equivalent of 52,500 people, without reference to figures for the current year 2024. ?"The displacement process is taking place within the province, i.e. from marshes or desertified lands to cities that ensure a suitable environment for living," he said.

?Material assistance

?According to the director of the branch of the Ministry of Migration and Displacement in Dhi Qar governorate, "the displaced families have been included in assistance provided by the Ministry of Migration and Displacement, including food, health and household baskets, and clothes," and "the Department of Migration in Dhi Qar is currently working through its cadres to re-survey again to see if some have returned to their former areas or are still displaced."".

?

Based on data collected by the Directorate of Immigration from administrative units on the movement of family displacement, to the verification of the data of more than 7,000 families, the data of thousands of other families is still under scrutiny. About a month ago, aid was provided to about 3,000 displaced families in the north, south and east of the governorate.

?

Meager attempts

?The Iraqi government claims that it is making attempts to solve the water dilemma in the center and south of the country, but the measures followed are unable to match the magnitude of the problem, with the magnified effects of drought and low awareness of methods to protect water resources.

"The Ministry of Water Resources, through the River Irrigation Department, implemented this year Bakri's plan for waterways leading to the marshes, through giant drilling mechanisms aimed at deepening the riverbed, thus ensuring the arrival of large quantities of water," said the director of water resources in Dhi Qar.

?The plan has been in place since the beginning of 2024, in addition to ensuring a good water level for the marshes from the Euphrates River, as the level of the Euphrates entering the marshes reached 60 centimeters this year, while the level was lower last year and reached 50 centimeters," according to Muhaibis. The technical cadres of the Ministry of Water Resources with the security forces carried out repeated joint campaigns to remove abuses from areas with agricultural land located in the north of the governorate, by filling irregular water outlets and unlicensed pumps and confiscating them, and taking pledges from their owners, with the aim of ensuring a fair water share among agricultural areas.

?The spokesman for the Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources said that "Iraq has gone through four scarce years, and we have worked to invest the water available to us in strengthening the reservoir," noting that "70% of Iraq's water revenues are from neighboring countries," and that the abuses in the construction of fish ponds exacerbate the crisis significantly. "The government has worked to transform the water file into a sovereign file, directly supervised by the prime minister, and the government is working to strengthen bilateral understanding with neighboring countries to secure water releases."

?Here we return to the developments of the water agreement signed by Iraq with Turkey during the Turkish president's visit to Baghdad last May, which was based on "equality" and stipulated the management of water resources between the two sides for the next ten years, with the aim of a fair and equitable allocation of international waters, and the government confirmed that it would solve the water problem with the Turkish side.? But a member of the Agriculture, Water and Marshes Committee in the Iraqi parliament dashed hopes by saying that "there is no agreement concluded between Iraq and Turkey on the water file, neither previously nor currently," returning all possibilities to square one.

?He said that the Turkish side has ignored Iraq and its water shares, since 2003 until now, adding that countries such as "Turkey as well as Iran, began to build dams and divert waterways in favor of their water reserves, ignoring international conventions on riparian countries.

HR Perspective

The article highlights the severe impact of drought and water scarcity on the population of Dhi Qar, including displacement, loss of livelihoods, and deteriorating living conditions. These factors have significant implications for workforce stability, employee well-being, and economic productivity.

Key HR Concerns:

1. Displacement and Workforce Instability:

- Over 50,000 people have been displaced due to drought and desertification, leading to a loss of agricultural workers and other labor forces in affected areas.

- Migration to urban areas creates overcrowding, unemployment, and competition for limited resources.

2. Loss of Livelihoods:

- Farmers and those dependent on marshlands for fishing or agriculture are losing their primary sources of income.

- Economic instability increases financial stress on families, which can lead to mental health challenges.

3. Health and Living Conditions:

- Displaced families often lack access to adequate housing, clean water, healthcare, and sanitation.

- Poor living conditions directly affect productivity and quality of life.

4. Climate Change Awareness:

- There is a low level of awareness about sustainable water usage and climate adaptation strategies among communities and organizations.

HR Recommendations:

1. Support for Displaced Workers:

- Employers in urban areas should create job programs targeting displaced individuals, offering training in alternative skills such as construction, manufacturing, or services.

- Partner with NGOs or government programs to provide temporary housing and basic necessities for displaced workers.

2. Mental Health and Well-being Initiatives:

- HR teams should implement mental health support programs for employees affected by displacement or financial stress.

- Provide access to counseling services and stress management workshops.

3. Skill Development Programs:

- Launch reskilling initiatives to help workers transition from agriculture-based jobs to other industries.

- Focus on sustainable industries like renewable energy, water management, or eco-tourism.

4. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR):

- Companies can contribute through CSR initiatives by funding water conservation projects or supporting local NGOs working on drought mitigation.

- Engage in community outreach programs that educate people about water conservation and sustainable practices.

Rule of Law (ROL) Perspective

The article underscores systemic governance failures in addressing water scarcity, weak enforcement of international agreements, and inadequate domestic policies to mitigate climate change. These challenges raise serious concerns regarding the protection of fundamental rights, including the right to water, housing, and livelihood.

Key ROL Concerns:

1. Right to Water:

- Water scarcity directly violates the fundamental human right to access clean water, as recognized under international law (e.g., UN General Assembly Resolution 64/292).

- The lack of equitable water distribution exacerbates inequality among regions and communities.

2. Displacement and Demographic Change:

- The forced migration of families due to environmental factors creates social instability and raises questions about government accountability.

- Displacement also leads to demographic shifts that can increase tensions over resources in host areas.

3. International Water Laws:

- The article highlights Iraq’s reliance on neighboring countries for 70% of its water supply. Turkey and Iran’s dam-building activities violate international conventions on riparian rights (e.g., the UN Watercourses Convention).

4. Weak Governance:

- The Iraqi government’s inability to enforce fair water-sharing agreements or implement effective drought mitigation strategies highlights governance gaps.

- Corruption, inefficiency, and lack of long-term planning have worsened the crisis.

#### ROL Recommendations:

1. Strengthen International Agreements:

- Iraq must push for binding agreements with Turkey and Iran based on international water-sharing principles.

- Work with international bodies like the UN or World Bank to mediate disputes and ensure compliance with riparian laws.

2. Codify Climate Adaptation Policies:

- Enact legislation that prioritizes water resource management, conservation, and climate adaptation.

- Develop legal frameworks for protecting displaced populations, ensuring their right to housing, education, and employment.

3. Decentralized Water Management:

- Empower local governments in Dhi Qar and other affected regions to manage water resources more effectively.

- Introduce stricter penalties for illegal water use (e.g., unlicensed pumps) and ensure fair distribution among agricultural areas.

4. Environmental Justice:

- Ensure that vulnerable populations (e.g., marshland residents) are prioritized in government drought relief programs.

- Allocate resources equitably across regions to reduce disparities caused by climate change.

5. Public Accountability:

- Increase transparency by publishing regular reports on water usage, drought mitigation efforts, and progress toward international agreements.

- Create independent oversight bodies to monitor government actions related to climate change and water management.

General Suggestions for Both HR & ROL Perspectives

1. Invest in Sustainable Infrastructure:

- Build desalination plants or invest in technologies like drip irrigation to reduce water wastage.

- Expand green spaces to combat desertification and improve local climates.

2. Public Awareness Campaigns:

- Educate citizens about the importance of water conservation and sustainable practices.

- Collaborate with schools, universities, and community leaders to spread awareness about climate change impacts.

3. Collaborative Regional Solutions:

- Iraq should lead regional discussions on shared water resources with Turkey, Iran, and Syria.

- Explore joint projects like shared reservoirs or coordinated dam releases during drought periods.

4. Climate Resilience Programs:

- Train local farmers in climate-resilient agricultural practices (e.g., drought-resistant crops).

- Provide subsidies for adopting sustainable farming techniques or transitioning to alternative livelihoods.

Conclusion

The crisis in Dhi Qar is a stark reminder of the urgent need for coordinated action at both local and international levels. From an HR perspective, supporting displaced populations through employment opportunities, skill development, and mental health initiatives is critical. From an ROL perspective, strengthening governance frameworks, enforcing international agreements, and ensuring equitable resource distribution are essential steps toward resolving the crisis.