Project profile — Human and Biodiversity Resilience in the Iraqi Marshlands

• Iraq (100.00%)

• Water resources conservation (including data collection):
Water resources conservation (including data collection) (14015) (10.00%)
Basic drinking water supply (14031) (15.00%)
• Fishing: Fishery development (31320) (15.00%)
• General Environmental Protection: Bio-diversity (41030) (35.00%)
• Other Multisector: Multisector aid (43010) (25.00%)

• Gender equality (significant objective)
• Environmental sustainability (cross-cutting) (principal objective)
• Participatory development and good governance (significant objective)
• Trade development (not targeted)
• Biodiversity (significant objective)
• Climate change mitigation (not targeted)
• Climate Change Adaptation (principal objective)
• Urban issues (not targeted)
• Desertification (not targeted)
• Children's issues (not targeted)
• Youth Issues (not targeted)
• Disaster Risk Reduction(DRR) (significant objective)
• Disability (not targeted)
• Indigenous Issues (significant objective)
• Nutrition (not targeted)
• ICT as a tool for development (not targeted)

This project with United Nations Development Programme Iraq supports 40,000 inhabitants living in the Al-Chibayish district of the Central Marshes in Thi-Qar governorate in addressing the inter-relationship between human livelihoods and biodiversity protection in the Mesopotamian Marshes based on their reliance on a shared, water-based ecology. Project activities include: (1) establishing a pilot rainwater catchment pond and green technology for water pumping, purification, and distribution will improve the quantity and quality of water available for people and livestock (2) providing alternatives to illegal fishing and poaching in marsh communities; (3) empowering women in leadership positions, as water managers, and participation through community outreach to spouses, and tribal and religious leaders; and (4) strengthening policies and procedures at local, governorate and federal levels to better monitor the management of natural resources in the Marshlands.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) improved gender-responsive water security to support indigenous residents and water-dependent ecosystems through community work on the rehabilitation of climate-resilient water systems for the harvesting and distribution for improved water quality and access; and (2) increased gender-responsive protection for biodiversity and ecosystems to Marsh Arab communities, using a community-level approach to strengthen and better manage natural resources contributing to healthy, sustainable nature-based livelihoods

Results achieved as of March 2024 include: (1) collected data on existing but non-functioning water treatment plants; (2) collaborated with the Government of Iraq and 36 national researchers to conduct a desk study and surveys as part of a participatory ecosystem assessment to address data gaps and provide socio-economic and ecological insights for the Iraqi Marshes; (3) identified specific training and supply needs for environment inspectors and environmental police; and (4) identified hatcheries qualified for rehabilitation to produce local fish species.

• Proactive disclosure