More than 150,000 people in Duhok now have access to safe drinking water through a new UNICEF project funded by Germany

Baghdad, 1 February 2023 – UNICEF handed over a water project funded by Germany, to the Governorate of Duhok today. The handover was attended by Dr. Ali Tatar, Governor of Duhok; Mr. Sasan Awani, Minister of Municipalities and Tourism; Mr. Klaus Streicher, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany; Dr. Anna Janke, Country Director of the KfW Development Bank and Mr. Mads Oyen, Chief Field Operations, UNICEF in Iraq. This project will secure safe and clean drinking water for more than 150,000 people in the Amedi area, on north of Dohuk, serving communities, households, schools and healthcare facilities.

This project, financed by the German Government through the KfW Development Bank, was implemented as a result of high turbidity in the river. High rates of turbidity in the river and lack of treatment of the unclean water resulted in limited availability of, and accessibility to safe drinking water, putting the lives of children and their families at great risk of water-borne diseases.   

The project built a control valve chamber, extended the main water line and upgraded the intake structure of the treatment plant. As a result, up to 2,400 m3of clean and safe drinking water is pumped on an hourly basis - equaling the amount of water in an Olympic size swimming pool.  

“It is impressive to see the achievement of this project. Water is life! We are relieved that so many people can now benefit from access to clean water,” said Mr. Klaus Streicher, Consul General of Germany, adding “If partners stand together, we can face the impact of climate change.”

“Ensuring access to safe and clean water is one of our priorities to mitigate the impact of climate change,” said Dr. Anna Janke, Country Director, KfW Development Bank. “KfW Development Bank is proud to see that this project has materialized where children and their families are benefitting from clean and safe drinking water.”

Vulnerable children and families are more exposed to climate-related challenges. Without action now, inequalities that children and young people are facing will be further exacerbated by climate change. 

“Mitigating the impact of climate change is one of our priorities. With thanks to the support of Germany, through the KfW Development Bank, this water project ensures that water infrastructure and services are safe, sustainable and resilient to climate-related risks securing safe and clean drinking for children and their families,” said Mr. Mads Oyen, Chief Field Operations, UNICEF in Iraq.  “This rehabilitated water system not only reaps a myriad of health benefits for children and their families, but also helps build community resilience to the impacts of climate change.”

UNICEF is committed to support the Government of Iraq and its people to address the challenges of environmental sustainability and will continue the work with youth advocates and other young people to enable them to be agents of change, on the value of water and water conservation.

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.

For more information about UNICEF and its work for children visit www.unicef.org

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