At WHH, we systematically integrate climate action into our projects and programs.
Iraq: Clean Energy Sparks Hope in Sinjar
"I wish to see more clean energy related projects implemented". Solar panels provide clean energy for the people of Ware Khidre, Sinjar to pump water for their farms in the face of hostile climatic conditions.
Deep in the mountains of Sinjar lay Ware Khidre lands, stacked upon each other like playing cards, where the community continues practicing agriculture, beekeeping and livestock. This mountainous village, with its zig-zag mud roads, holds plentiful fig trees and their sweet nectar in its arms, including Halima’s fig farm, which she built three years ago.
Halima has always been a farmer. However, ever since she built her own farm, seeing the seeds she planted into fruiting bodies brings joy to her heart. “Grapes make me happy,” said Halima, as they are her favorite fruit, while plucking some white grapes and putting them in a basket with her daughter, Helin.
Farming is a venture close to the hearts of the community in Ware Khidre, where they have a variety of vegetables and fruits that are later sold in the markets of Sinuni and Sinjar in Ninewa, Iraq. “This is how we generate income, we sell figs,” said Halima.
Water Scarcity and Internal Migration
While Ware Khidre has fruitful land, since 2019, it’s been facing water scarcity. A struggle that Halima also faced when she realized that her farm would need a sustainable water supply to stay green.
With the existence of water scarcity, difficulty in irrigation due to lack of modern techniques such as drip irrigation system, usage of methods like canals and ditches, and inconsistency of electricity supply was exacerbating the situation.
As drought struck the village, the community bought generators to extract underground water for their farms. This unsustainable solution was not only costly, but also produced sound and air pollution, worsening during the heat of summer, where heat levels exceed 50 Celsius degrees (122 Fahrenheit) in the months of May until September.
The community lost hope and started leaving their farms behind to reside in the center of Sinuni and Sinjar. Those who remained also envisioned leaving. “But for us, our farm was too precious to leave behind,” added Halima.
According to Aljazeera, higher temperatures combine with Iraq’s other problems – such as a rapidly increasing population and lower river levels – to create a ‘perfect storm.’ Extreme temperatures and a lack of electrical power are a deadly combination, and one that is being felt across Iraq.
Iraq is one of the world’s most vulnerable to climate change, faced with scorching heatwaves, reduced rainfall, water scarcity, and desertification. At the same time, A recent International Organization for Migration (IOM) report on climate-induced displacement in southern Iraq said that as of mid-June, more than 83,000 people are displaced because of drought conditions across 10 governorates in the country.
Climate change and environmental degradation are widespread in Iraq, with reduced water availability and land degradation impacting the livelihoods of vulnerable communities across the country. The United Nations Global Environment Outlook 6 (GEO-6) identified Iraq as the world’s fifth most vulnerable country to decreasing water and food availability and extreme temperatures.
Renewable Energy Revives the Farms
During 2023, Welthungerhilfe (WHH), in collaboration with UNDP, with funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and KFW (German development bank), started the implementation of the project ‘Supporting the Recovery of the Agriculture Sector’ in Sinjar and Tal Afar Districts, Ninewa Governorate, Iraq. The project aimed at providing resilient employment opportunities for vulnerable Iraqis including youth and women through support to both farmers and agricultural small and medium enterprises, contributing to improving their skills, access to finance and maintenance of assets.
The lack of livelihood opportunities is one of the most pervasive challenges to durable solutions in Iraq, thus ultimately hampering sustainable return to areas of origin. An estimated 68% of employment is informal due to the inability of the formal public and private sectors to provide economic opportunities and women and youth are disproportionately affected by unemployment at 65% and 36% respectively.
The Power of Solar
So far, WHH in Iraq has been able to provide more than 85 solar power panels to the communities for the purposes of: Cooling room constructions, water pumping, hatcheries, electrification for nurseries, irrigation and animal watering and boreholes.
This project was crucial in promoting inclusive, gender-sensitive and diversified economic growth, increasing income security and more dignified work opportunities for women, youth, and vulnerable populations.
Halima was one of the grantees of this project. She, alongside 20 other families, invested in solar power panels to provide clean energy for their farms to pump water.
“Last year, our trees were dying, and we had very little produce,” said Halima, adding, “The solar panel gave us hope. Now, our trees have access to water through clean energy and without air or noise pollution.”
Currently, Halima is teaching her 10-year-old daughter Helin how to farm, as she loves to nurture the fig trees and wishes to practice it as a hobby in the future.
“I wish to see more clean energy related projects implemented, we wish to see Sinjar solarized,” said Halima.
WHH in Iraq
Since 2017, WHH Iraq has been working closely with the different communities in Sinjar. So far, through 18 projects, we have provided support with infrastructure rehabilitation, Cash for Work, WASH, cash grants, cash for protection, agricultural businesses, agriculture support, business development support and vocational trainings. Through our initiatives, we have reached 31,947 individuals, with these initiatives' indirect impact reaching 40,7182 individuals.
In Sinjar, WHH Iraq, in collaboration with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), with financial support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is currently implementing the projects' Supporting a Resilient Economic Recovery by Strengthening SMEs and Agriculture in Sinjar district, Ninewa governorate' and 'Supporting Employment Promotion and Increased Income for Vulnerable Communities in Iraq'
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