Iraq: Drought slashes seasonal harvest, water and food supply

Extreme temperatures and long, dry spells have forced one in two Iraqi families to cultivate less land or use less water during the 2024 farming season compared to previous years, compounding a severe drought crisis in the country, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) warns in a new report.
Press release
Iraq
Published 18. Nov 2024

As COP 29 takes place in Azerbaijan, the impact of climate change on Iraqi families is laid bare in a new report by NRC, which has been monitoring drought trends among agricultural communities in Iraq for the past four years. The new report surveys 709 displaced and returnee Iraqis across five governorates of Iraq to understand how climate change affects harvest and income changes, and ultimately people’s ability to recover from years of conflict and economic instability.

Among the displaced households surveyed, 59 per cent report now having to reduce their food expenditure, as the reduction in agricultural input have reduced their income and food security. Three in four households report community tensions over competition for water resources.

“For the fourth year in a row, we hear stories of how severe drought conditions undermine Iraqis’ ability to farm their own lands,” said Sue Clarke, NRC’s country director for Iraq.

“This is happening against a backdrop of prolonged displacement and a chronic mismanagement of water resources. Climate change has compounded the devastation left by years of conflict. The world’s largest polluters, which also happen to be among the richest, must share the collective responsibility of investing in climate-resilient transformational projects in countries like Iraq.”

In 2023, Iraq reported a decline in the harvest of eight out of the top ten crops, including vegetables and legumes. The country’s agricultural production was no longer able to meet the national food market demands or secure the population’s consumption needs.

Iraq's water infrastructure has also suffered significantly from two decades of conflict. It remains poorly equipped to handle current and future challenges. The country’s irrigation methods are outdated, with as much as around 70 per cent of farmers still relying on flood irrigation despite severe water shortages.

NRC’s report also reveals that the ability of displaced families to return to their areas of origin is undermined by climate-induced stressors.

“It is time for Iraq to receive the support it urgently needs to take the first step towards reversing years of climate fallout. This includes funding for projects that target the rebuilding of agriculture in conflict-affected regions, and overhauling water resource management,” said Clarke.

“Where should we go? The land my ancestors farmed for generations is barren,” Osman, a displaced farmer from the Ninewa governorate, told NRC. “Those who have returned home tell us every day is a struggle. Life is tough here, but the reality at home is tougher.”

NRC calls for the Azerbaijan COP 29 Presidency, parties and other decision makers at COP 29 to ensure that financing for climate change adaptation reaches displacement-affected communities in fragile, conflict-affected settings.

Notes to editors:

  • Please find the full report entitled 'Cracked Earth, shrinking harvest: Drought impact on displaced and returnee Iraqis' here.
  • For the fourth year, NRC has assessed the links between climate and displacement in Iraq across four broad themes: water security and governance, income and food insecurity, social tension, and drought and displacement. 
  • You can visit past reports here: 2021, 2022, and 2023.
  • NRC ran a post-harvest survey between July and August across four governorates — Anbar, Kirkuk, Ninewa and Salahaddin — to understand the impact of climate change on the yield of staple and cash crops. The survey targeted 297 Iraqi households that have returned home after being displaced by conflict, offering insights into post-conflict recovery of income and livelihoods in areas of return.
  • A second survey was run in Anbar, Ninewa, Salahaddin and Duhok involving 419 households. Ninety-five per cent of respondents had been displaced at least once in the past three years, with 68 per cent reporting they were currently displaced. The survey compared how climate change is impacting progress towards self-reliance between Iraqis who have returned, and Iraqis who are still displaced.
  • In 2023, Iraq reported a decline in the harvest of eight out of the top ten crops, including vegetables and legumes. (Iraqi Statistics Authority)
  • 70 per cent of farmers in Iraq still rely on flood irrigation. (NRC)

Key findings:

Impact of climate change on previously displaced Iraqis who have returned to their areas of origin in Anbar, Kirkuk, Ninewa and Salahaddin

  • 1 in 2 households were forced to cultivate less land or use less water during the 2024 farming season.
  • 30 per cent of households had to borrow to cover basic expenses during the summer months. 15 per cent reported having to reduce expenditure on healthcare and education, and 8 per cent had to expend savings.
  • 5 per cent of returnees were forced to move due to drought-like conditions in 2024, down from 11 per cent last year.

Impact of climate change on Iraqis who are currently displaced in Anbar, Ninewa, Salahaddin and Duhok

  • 1 in 5 Iraqi households in informal sites do not have access to clean water.
  • 3 in 4 households reported community tensions over sharing of water resources, and 44 per cent of households report local authorities barring certain groups from accessing water.
  • 62 per cent of households had to borrow money to cover basic expenses during the summer months, and 59 per cent of households reported having to reduce food expenditure.
  • 80 per cent of Iraqis who are currently displaced link their return to their ability to farm. 93 per cent are currently making decisions to stay, move or return based on information about resources in their areas of origin.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

As COP 29 takes place in Azerbaijan, the impact of climate change on Iraqi families is laid bare in a new report by NRC, which has been monitoring drought trends among agricultural communities in Iraq for the past four years. The new report surveys 709 displaced and returnee Iraqis across five governorates of Iraq to understand how climate change affects harvest and income changes, and ultimately people’s ability to recover from years of conflict and economic instability.

Among the displaced households surveyed, 59 per cent report now having to reduce their food expenditure, as the reduction in agricultural input have reduced their income and food security. Three in four households report community tensions over competition for water resources.

“For the fourth year in a row, we hear stories of how severe drought conditions undermine Iraqis’ ability to farm their own lands,” said Sue Clarke, NRC’s country director for Iraq.

“This is happening against a backdrop of prolonged displacement and a chronic mismanagement of water resources. Climate change has compounded the devastation left by years of conflict. The world’s largest polluters, which also happen to be among the richest, must share the collective responsibility of investing in climate-resilient transformational projects in countries like Iraq.”

In 2023, Iraq reported a decline in the harvest of eight out of the top ten crops, including vegetables and legumes. The country’s agricultural production was no longer able to meet the national food market demands or secure the population’s consumption needs.

Iraq's water infrastructure has also suffered significantly from two decades of conflict. It remains poorly equipped to handle current and future challenges. The country’s irrigation methods are outdated, with as much as around 70 per cent of farmers still relying on flood irrigation despite severe water shortages.

NRC’s report also reveals that the ability of displaced families to return to their areas of origin is undermined by climate-induced stressors.

“It is time for Iraq to receive the support it urgently needs to take the first step towards reversing years of climate fallout. This includes funding for projects that target the rebuilding of agriculture in conflict-affected regions, and overhauling water resource management,” said Clarke.

“Where should we go? The land my ancestors farmed for generations is barren,” Osman, a displaced farmer from the Ninewa governorate, told NRC. “Those who have returned home tell us every day is a struggle. Life is tough here, but the reality at home is tougher.”

NRC calls for the Azerbaijan COP 29 Presidency, parties and other decision makers at COP 29 to ensure that financing for climate change adaptation reaches displacement-affected communities in fragile, conflict-affected settings.

Notes to editors:

  • Please find the full report entitled 'Cracked Earth, shrinking harvest: Drought impact on displaced and returnee Iraqis' here.
  • For the fourth year, NRC has assessed the links between climate and displacement in Iraq across four broad themes: water security and governance, income and food insecurity, social tension, and drought and displacement. 
  • You can visit past reports here: 2021, 2022, and 2023.
  • NRC ran a post-harvest survey between July and August across four governorates — Anbar, Kirkuk, Ninewa and Salahaddin — to understand the impact of climate change on the yield of staple and cash crops. The survey targeted 297 Iraqi households that have returned home after being displaced by conflict, offering insights into post-conflict recovery of income and livelihoods in areas of return.
  • A second survey was run in Anbar, Ninewa, Salahaddin and Duhok involving 419 households. Ninety-five per cent of respondents had been displaced at least once in the past three years, with 68 per cent reporting they were currently displaced. The survey compared how climate change is impacting progress towards self-reliance between Iraqis who have returned, and Iraqis who are still displaced.
  • In 2023, Iraq reported a decline in the harvest of eight out of the top ten crops, including vegetables and legumes. (Iraqi Statistics Authority)
  • 70 per cent of farmers in Iraq still rely on flood irrigation. (NRC)

Key findings:

Impact of climate change on previously displaced Iraqis who have returned to their areas of origin in Anbar, Kirkuk, Ninewa and Salahaddin

  • 1 in 2 households were forced to cultivate less land or use less water during the 2024 farming season.
  • 30 per cent of households had to borrow to cover basic expenses during the summer months. 15 per cent reported having to reduce expenditure on healthcare and education, and 8 per cent had to expend savings.
  • 5 per cent of returnees were forced to move due to drought-like conditions in 2024, down from 11 per cent last year.

Impact of climate change on Iraqis who are currently displaced in Anbar, Ninewa, Salahaddin and Duhok

  • 1 in 5 Iraqi households in informal sites do not have access to clean water.
  • 3 in 4 households reported community tensions over sharing of water resources, and 44 per cent of households report local authorities barring certain groups from accessing water.
  • 62 per cent of households had to borrow money to cover basic expenses during the summer months, and 59 per cent of households reported having to reduce food expenditure.
  • 80 per cent of Iraqis who are currently displaced link their return to their ability to farm. 93 per cent are currently making decisions to stay, move or return based on information about resources in their areas of origin.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: