GCF approves $39 million to support FAO-led project addressing water scarcity and climate change in Iraq

The six-year project, known as “Strengthening Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Agriculture Livelihoods in Iraq’s Rural Communities” (SRVALI), seeks to address climate-induced water scarcity and improve food security in three targeted governorates – Karbala, Muthanna and Najaf – where climate change threatens agricultural production. 

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of Iraq welcomed the announcement, which was made at the fortieth meeting of the GCF Board. 

“The Iraqi government, represented by the Ministry of Environment, has today achieved an important accomplishment by obtaining funding from the Green Climate Fund to implement SRVALI project in coordination with FAO” stressed HE the Minister of Environment, Eng. Nizar Amedi. 

“The project will focus on promoting climate-resilient agriculture in Karbala, Najaf and Muthanna, and will be implemented in cooperation with the Ministries of Agriculture and Water Resources and local governments, considering that accruing this funding support is an important technical, political and diplomatic achievement for Iraq” HE added. 

The project will be officially launched during COP29 in Baku in coordination with FAO. In this regard, the Iraqi Ministry of Environment extends its thanks and gratitude to FAO for their distinguished efforts to complete the technical requirements of the project. 

“We are very pleased to implement this project in Iraq, which will benefit close to two million rural people, including nearly a million women, and enhance the climate resilience of agriculture households in Iraq’s rural communities,” said HE Dr. Jasim Al-Falahi, Technical Deputy Minister from Iraq’s Ministry of Environment and National Designated Authority (NDA). “This project also closely aligns with Iraq’s climate change policy.” 

Transforming Iraq’s agriculture sector

This initiative will deliver urgently needed investments in adaption and resilience in Iraq, which the United Nations categorizes as one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change in the Near East.

The country faces mounting water scarcity concerns as temperatures in the arid climate continue to rise.

“The project will efficiently transform Iraq’s agriculture sector, making it more climate resilient, equitable and sustainable with improved water distribution systems as well as increased access to renewable energy and water at the farm level,” added Al-Falahi.

Efficient water systems for food security

By transforming the existing irrigation network, the initiative will help stabilize water availability and make water systems more efficient.

“Water scarcity, exacerbated by climate change, conflicts, and population growth, poses a significant threat to our region's food security and sustainable development. Projections indicate rising temperatures and declining precipitation, further straining our already limited water resources. SRVALI project will help mitigate the impact of these challenges on water and food security in rural areas of Iraq through several well-thought-out and proven interventions for a better life and a better future for all” said Mr. Abdulhakim Elwaer, FAO Assistant Director-General, Regional Representative for Near East and North Africa.

“This project offers a comprehensive, inclusive, and innovative approach to enhancing the climate resilience of rural households. It will introduce climate adaptive technologies and farming practices that should improve water-use efficiency and stabilize water availability for improved crop yields,” said Salah ElHajj Hassan, FAO Representative in Iraq.

The project will also create employment opportunities for local people especially internally displaced persons.

“With a long-standing history in Iraq, FAO is well-positioned to ensure the successful implementation of the initiative by leveraging on-going projects, building the capacity of public institutions for sustainable development, and working with international partners to drive governmental reforms,” he added.

Over the six-year implementation period, FAO will work with Iraq’s Ministries of Water Resources, Environment and agriculture to deliver on the project’s objectives.

Empowering farmers

FAO’s expertise in Farmer Field Schools, training and capacity development will encourage farmers to adopt on-farm water-saving irrigation methods and technologies as well as resilient crop and soil management.

Women will be among the beneficiaries trained as “agents of change” and provided with the knowledge to manage climate risks at the community level.

The climate-resilient technologies, practices and approaches introduced by the project can also be integrated into agriculture-related curricula at universities and vocational schools, as well as scaled up and replicated in other countries in the region.

Ultimately, this catalytic investment will create a basis for replicating successful climate-resilient agriculture practices throughout the country and attract further investment in climate initiatives that promote water and food security.

Acknowledgements

FAO acknowledges the continuous efforts as well the co-financing for SRVALI project from the Government of Iraq, especially Ministries of Water Resources and Environment. FAO also acknowledges the co-financing from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and the Canadian International Development Agency.

Finaly, the FAO Investment Centre's expertise in project design and investment strategy played a key role in shaping this initiative to ensure long-term impact and sustainability.