The European Union allocates EUR 1.1 million to address urgent water crisis in Basra, Iraq
The European Union allocates EUR 1.1 million to address urgent water crisis in Basra, Iraq
In response to the escalating water crisis in Basra, southern Iraq, the European Union is allocating EUR 1.1 million in humanitarian funding.
The emergency support will address urgent water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) needs over the next six months, targeting the most vulnerable communities. This includes an estimated 500,000 people severely affected by poor water quality and limited access. Many of those impacted live in informal settlements on the outskirts of Basra, where the crisis has been particularly acute.
This is Basra’s most serious water crisis since 2018. The current situation stems from multiple factors, including the drying up of the Euphrates before reaching the city and the reduced Tigris River flow due to upstream drought-related usage. The resulting high salinity and water scarcity have created serious health risks, particularly for displaced populations and those already living in vulnerable conditions.
The EU funding will enable the Norwegian Red Cross, in partnership with the Iraqi Red Crescent, to ensure timely and effective assistance to the most affected communities. The response will focus on activities aimed at improving access to and distribution of clean water. This includes the maintenance and upgrading of water units in highly vulnerable areas that are either not connected to the public water network or have only limited access. Efforts will also focus on improving water treatment systems in places with the greatest needs. Clean water will also be delivered by truck to communities, helping ensure that even the most isolated areas receive safe water.
The EU remains committed to responding swiftly to emerging humanitarian needs and supporting the most at-risk populations.
Background
The European Union and its Member States are the world’s leading donors of humanitarian aid. Emergency aid is an expression of European solidarity with people in need around the world. Its goal is to save lives, prevent and alleviate human suffering, and preserve the integrity and dignity of populations affected by natural and man-made disasters.
Through the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), the European Union helps millions of victims of conflicts and disasters each year. With headquarters in Brussels and a global network of field offices, the European Union provides aid to the most vulnerable people based on humanitarian needs.