New Thi Qar Wetland Aids 30,000, Boosts Climate Resilience
Thi Qar, Iraq, 18 February 2026 The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and Iraqi national authorities today officially handed over a constructed wetland project addressing pollution and drought in Thi Qar, Iraqs heat-stressed southern region. The project benefits 30,000 local residents through effective wastewater treatment and provides a sustainable nature-based solution for climate adaptation, pollution management, biodiversity preservation and environmental protection.
Southern Iraq faces growing environmental stress driven by population growth, climate change contributing to prolonged drought, desertification, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss. Inadequate wastewater treatment exacerbates these pressures, with untreated sewage being discharged directly into rivers and marshlands, threatening public health, livelihoods, and fragile ecosystems.
Todays ceremony saw representatives from IOM and UNEP join with officials from Iraqs Ministry of Water Resources, the Governors Office of Thi Qar, the Thi Qar Directorate of Sewerage, and other partners, for official handover to national authorities, who will continue to safeguard and operate the constructed wetland system as part of local water management efforts.
The Islah constructed wetland is a simple, cost-effective solution that improves water quality and protects public health. It also provides a range of co-benefits: it is low cost, easy to operate and maintain, fits Iraqs environment, creates habitats that support biodiversity, and helps us face climate challenges. The ministry supports expanding such nature-based solutions to improve our water security and protect our natural resources said Aoun Diab Abdullah, Minister of Water Resources, Government of Iraq.
With support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, the constructed wetland was jointly implemented by IOM and UNEP in partnership with local authorities to simultaneously address environmental challenges while also reducing risks associated with climate-induced displacement and protecting Iraqs cultural heritage.
Climate and environmental pressures are already affecting livelihoods across southern Iraq, forcing many families to consider leaving their homes. Scalable nature-based solutions like this help communities build climate resilience, giving people a real choice to stay and sustain their livelihoods rather than being forced to move. We hope that this approach will be adopted in other areas, said Pascal Reyntjens, IOM Iraq Chief of Mission.
The wetland treats up to 4,000 cubic meters of wastewater per day through sedimentation and natural filtration in reed beds, significantly improving water quality before it is released into the marshlands. Monitoring results show strong environmental performance, including major reductions in pollutants and pathogens, while restoring conditions that support biodiversity and aquatic life.
"The constructed wetlands project shows how nature can support people. It is now improving water quality and increasing water availability through sustainable Nature-based Solutions. As we officially hand over the project to national authorities, I recognize the strong partnerships that made this possible - national and municipal partners, UNEP and IOM working closely together to solve critical development, peace and environmental challenges said Susan Gardner, Director, UNEP Ecosystems Division.
The project also supports national priorities for sustainable water management and contributes to Iraq's Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plan. Its a scalable model for secondary towns and rural areas where conventional infrastructure is costly or difficult to maintain. The system operates with minimal energy requirements, relies on locally available skills for maintenance, and creates opportunities for water reuse in agriculture, contributing to long-term livelihoods, mitigating displacement risks, and improving public health.
The handover to national partners marks an important step towards the projects long-term sustainability, enabling the integration of nature-based wastewater treatment into Iraqs broader climate adaptation and water management strategies.
https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/newly-constructed-wetland-thi-qar-benefits-30000-people-supports
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