Human and Biodiversity Resilience in the Iraqi Marshlands

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