The marshlands of southern Iraq account for just under half of the country’s inland waters and have historically been a critical livelihood source for households in Al-Basra, Maysan, and Thi Qar Governorates. In the early 1990s, Saddam Hussein drained the once-thriving marshes when Shiite rebels sought refuge there, causing almost 500,000 residents to flee. By the early 2000s, less than 10% of the original marshland area was still functioning. Despite efforts to restore the marshes in subsequent years, the area is once again at risk of reduced water levels.  

Earlier this year, REACH conducted focus group discussions and interviews with people from affected communities, to understand how these climatic factors impacted livelihoods and influenced movement decisions. Some key takeaways:  

• Climate change effects such as reduced rainfall and high temperatures, along with the construction of dams in Turkey and Iran, were key reasons behind the reduced water levels and increased salinity of the marshes.

• The biggest adverse impact has been felt by people who rely on the marshes for income from fishing, agriculture, livestock rearing, handicraft production, and shelter construction. Diminished incomes have limited their ability to purchase food and other necessities, as well as ensure education for their children. Relocation, including to urban centres like Basra city, has been a key coping mechanism for marshland residents in need of new livelihood opportunities.

• Displaced discussion participants noted that improved access to water and living conditions were necessary before they could consider moving back. To prevent further displacement, participants noted a need for fertilisers for farming, fodder for buffalo rearing, improved transportation, and easier access to loans.  

In recent years, flood frequency in the Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) states has increased, often leading to displacement, destruction of basic service infrastructure, and increased risk of illnesses like malaria and other waterborne ailments. Climate and ecosystem changes, including rainfall variability, desertification, overgrazing, and overcultivation, have created a precarious situation where food scarcity and access to livelihoods have become intertwined with weather and environmental effects.  

REACH conducted a rapid assessment in Yobe state in July, following a week of heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding. Through interviews and participatory mapping exercises with people who had displaced from the most flood-affected areas, our teams found that:

• Flooding had caused destruction to shelters, farmland, livelihood assets, and other household resources. Access to some communities was entirely cut off due to damaged roads, bridges, and communication lines.
• Hundreds of households were reportedly displaced – in some cases entire communities. Both displaced people and those who remained in flood-affected areas had a primary need for food, shelter, and core items like clothing, mosquito nets, and blankets. Due to destruction of food stocks and farmland, some people had resorted to foraging and eating wild foods.
• Interviewees reported that no aid had been provided to people remaining in flood areas at that stage. Those who had displaced were receiving shelter, food, and access to services from their host communities, but similarly, no support from designated aid actors had been reported.

Throughout 2021, satellite data captured below-average rainfall and drought-like conditions in Kapoeta East and North, indicating risks to harvests and livestock. Field reports and prior REACH data also indicated high levels of food insecurity, likely caused by these climatic factors. In January 2022, media and field reports highlighted a large movement of people from Kapoeta East County to Kapoeta North, due to lack of food and water.

In response to information gaps about the food security situation, water access, and movement patterns, REACH conducted focus group discussions, interviews, and infrastructure mapping to understand the impacts of recent climate shocks, as well as coping strategies and barriers. The study found:

• At the time of the assessment, Greater Kapoeta had been experiencing drought conditions for several months. In addition, the area had also experienced flooding and heavy rainfall, locust infestations, crop disease, and other climate-related shocks in recent years.

• Due to limited and erratic rainfall patterns in 2021, existing water access issues were exacerbated, with some people reported to be regularly walking up to six hours to reach water points. Safe water sources were also unavailable, resulting in unclean water being shared by both humans and livestock.
• Drought conditions had impacted agro-pastoral livelihoods and food security. Discussion participants reported increased reliance on foraging for wild foods as a means of coping with poor harvests. Inadequate access to food and clean water was also noted as contributing to illness, whilst healthcare services remained limited.
• In many communities, repeated climatic shocks had reduced the ability to use prior coping strategies, like use of livestock for sale or slaughter, or access to humanitarian aid – leading to large-scale movement in response to the 2021-22 drought. These movement patterns became circular in subsequent months, as people moved to and from their places of origin in search of food and humanitarian aid.