Evaristo Oliveira – Eng.International Committee of the Red Cross

Water & Habitat Unit

IRAQ: Covering essential needs of the population by ensuring water supply, sewage disposal and supporting health infrastructures

IRAQ:

• Decades of conflict, destruction, lack of maintenance

• Population exposed to health hazards • Today, water & sanitation services remain largely inadequate

• Establishing safe & reliable services is a long term task

• Since 1991, ICRC activities aim to respond to emergencies and improve essential infrastructures

Decades of conflict, destruction, lack of maintenance…

BRIDGING DIVIDES :

• Residents share resources with displaced population• Projects benefiting both groups help to avoid segregation of vulnerable groups

• Governmental structures fragmented in parts of Iraq• Collaborative approach with local, regional and central governmental structures

• Insecurity in parts of Iraq make it difficult to reach the population

• ICRC's long experience with a wide network of engineers and the authorities make it possible to implement projects across ethnic and confessional lines

IRAQ: Covering essential needs of the population by ensuring water supply, sewage disposal and supporting health infrastructures

2008

ICRC Water & Habitat in Iraq2008:

• 200 projects across Iraq

• water supply, sewage evacuation, health centres and

emergency assistance to displaced population,

• About 3 Million beneficiaries

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• Worldwide: Water & Habitat programs in 43 countries

• About 15 Million beneficiaries

Emergency Response

Electromechanical works in Water Treatment Plants

Al-Nashwa WTP, Basrah. 17’000 Beneficiaries

Al-Eiz WTP, Basrah. 120’000 Beneficiaries

Comprehensive Projects in Hospitals & PHCC

STAKEHOLDERS, PARTICIPATION, CONSULTATION:

KEY TO SUCCES…

• Solid partnership with water authorities and leaders,

• Strong technical teams of expatriate and national engineers – experienced, committed and motivated,

• Nationwide network of experienced and reliable local contractors built up since 1991,

COMMITMENT:

• ICRC responding to water and sanitation emergencies during the Gulf war in 1991

• Soon after, assistance to repair and maintain water infrastructures to reach larger number of beneficiaries

• From 1999 onwards, ICRC extended the programme to hospitals and clinics

• During 2002 and 2003, the ICRC remained in Iraq with national and international staff to respond to emergencies

• ICRC's Water and sanitation in Iraq constitutes one of the organisation's key activities in the country and one of its largest in these sectors worldwide

THANK YOU