Water shortages become a nuisance for Rawanduz locals
RAWANDUZ, Kurdistan Region - The residents of Rawanduz are struggling with the lack of water in the area, claiming that they have not showered in days.
The majority of residents say they have not had access to enough water to meet all their needs for around five days, adding that this is an ongoing issue that still remains unresolved.
“We receive water once a week from the government. We receive the water for around half an hour but it is not enough for our tankers to be filled,” Sazan Salim, a resident, told Rudaw’s Andam Jabar on Sunday.
“Yesterday was the fifth day my kids have not showered, it is spring, hot, and there is no water to shower my children,” Beriwan Abdullah, another resident, said.
The residents have decried the price of water provided by the municipality, telling Rudaw’s Andam Jabar that they pay 7,500 Iraqi dinars (over $5) each time water is brought to them through water tank vehicles despite having government-provided coupons.
The only source of drinking water in Rawanduz district is the Bekhal River.
“The water supply system from Bekhal to Rawanduz has three water pumps operating continuously,” Hogir Mala Mohammed, head of the Rawanduz Water Directorate said.
The Council of Ministers has approved the Ministry of Municipalities to buy five water pumps in order to fulfil the demands of the residents according to Mohammed.
Iraq is the fifth-most vulnerable nation in the world to the effects of climate change, including water and food insecurity, according to the UN.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has long warned that the water available in Iraq is set to decrease by around 20 percent by 2025, threatening the long-term stability of Iraq’s agriculture and industry.
The majority of residents say they have not had access to enough water to meet all their needs for around five days, adding that this is an ongoing issue that still remains unresolved.
“We receive water once a week from the government. We receive the water for around half an hour but it is not enough for our tankers to be filled,” Sazan Salim, a resident, told Rudaw’s Andam Jabar on Sunday.
“Yesterday was the fifth day my kids have not showered, it is spring, hot, and there is no water to shower my children,” Beriwan Abdullah, another resident, said.
The residents have decried the price of water provided by the municipality, telling Rudaw’s Andam Jabar that they pay 7,500 Iraqi dinars (over $5) each time water is brought to them through water tank vehicles despite having government-provided coupons.
The only source of drinking water in Rawanduz district is the Bekhal River.
“The water supply system from Bekhal to Rawanduz has three water pumps operating continuously,” Hogir Mala Mohammed, head of the Rawanduz Water Directorate said.
The Council of Ministers has approved the Ministry of Municipalities to buy five water pumps in order to fulfil the demands of the residents according to Mohammed.
Iraq is the fifth-most vulnerable nation in the world to the effects of climate change, including water and food insecurity, according to the UN.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has long warned that the water available in Iraq is set to decrease by around 20 percent by 2025, threatening the long-term stability of Iraq’s agriculture and industry.