Iraq: Assessing Water Shortage-Induced Displacement in Qadissiya, Najaf, Babylon, Wassit and Kerbala (as of 10 April 2019) [EN/AR]
GENERAL FIGURES
LOCATIONS
As per February 2019, 45 locations were identified as facing drought and/or water scarcity. There are 23 locations in Qadissiya Governorate, nine in Wassit, six in Babylon, five in Najaf and two in Kerbala. One location is urban and 44 are rural.
Affected locations in Qadissiya Governorate are in Afaq district (14 locations) and Hamza district (9 locations). In Wassit Governorate, all nine affected locations are located in Kut district. In Babylon Governorate, all six affected locations are in Hashimiya district. In Najaf Governorate, there are three locations in Kufa district and two in Al-Manathera. In Kerbala Governorate, there is one location in Kerbala district and one in Ain Al-Tamur that are affected by water shortage.
Comparison data from August 2018 to February 2019 shows a 26% decrease (16 locations) in the number of affected locations. Locations no longer experiencing drought are in Qadissiya (1), Wassit (5), Babylon (1), Najaf (2) and Kerbala (7), likely due to winter floodwater. However, those locations are expected to experience water shortages again in the summer because of the temporary nature of floodwater in Iraq. On the other hand, there are four new drought locations: two locations in Wassit, one in Kerbala and one in Najaf.
