On the occasion of World Food Day, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) join forces to confront the pressing issues posed by climate change, water scarcity, and food insecurity in Iraq. Ranked as the fifth most vulnerable country to the effects of climate change, Iraq grapples with an escalating array of environmental challenges, including heatwaves, sandstorms, soaring temperatures, water scarcity, and droughts.
This year, FAO’s World Food Day theme underscores the profound significance of water: “Water is life, water is food. Leave no one behind.” Dr. Salah El Hajj Hassan, FAO Representative in Iraq, underscored the pivotal role of water within the Iraqi context. He emphasized, “In Iraq, where agriculture serves as a linchpin of the economy and the well-being of the population, water stands as a fundamental necessity for food production. Our challenge is unmistakable: we must enhance food production with diminished water resources, all while ensuring equitable distribution, safeguarding our vital ecosystems, and ensuring that no one is left behind.”
