CLIMATE ADAPTATION IN IRAQ: MODELING WATER SECURITY AND RESILIENCE
LOCATION
Nationwide
LIFE OF ACTIVITY
2022 - 2025
USAID FUNDING
$700,000
IMPLEMENTING PARTNER
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
OVERVIEW
In collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, USAID seeks to strengthen climate adaptation in Iraq by helping Iraqis to model long-term water supply trends and needs.
GOALS
Advanced modeling: The activity develops sophisticated predictive water system models to forecast water availability, demand, and quality under various scenarios of climate change, population growth, and urbanization.
Intervention testing: Partners model the effectiveness of environmental, infrastructure, and economic interventions to mitigate water scarcity. Pilot testing will refine the model to meet the needs of the variety of stakeholders.
Helping decision-makers access high-quality climate data: A forecast model will enable government officials to identify the most destabilizing water security issues. It can also prioritize assets (e.g., infrastructure or crop types) that are resilient to hydrological risk. This model will enable officials to make data-driven decisions on water issues that take into account economic stability locally, regionally, and nationally.
Presenting findings to mitigate climate risks: The models will generate findings that are accessible to local stakeholders and policymakers and will help them better understand climate challenges and policies to mitigate climate risks.
IMPACT
- Equipped GOI with improved systems to model long-term water supply and demand.
- Trained GOI staff and stakeholders in relevant use-cases (irrigation, residential, etc.).
- Helped policymakers use improved data analysis methods to advance water security and stability.
- Gathered hydrological data of Iraqi precipitation levels that informed GOI stakeholders.
- Provided extensive historical information regarding Iraq’s surface conditions and its transboundary watershed partners.
