By John Lee.
In what it describes as a landmark decision, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved funding for two transformative projects valued at $134 million, to support adaptation and enhance the climate resilience of vulnerable agricultural communities in Somalia and Iraq.
These initiatives, spearheaded by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), will empower millions of farmers and pastoralists to adapt to the escalating impacts of climate change, including droughts, floods, and water scarcity.
Welcoming the news, Kaveh Zahedi, Director of the FAO Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment, said:
"FAO is very proud to have been selected by Somalia and Iraq to support them in their first single-country climate change investments. These two projects exemplify FAO's commitment to climate action through transforming their agriculture, especially by building resilient and sustainable agricultural systems in vulnerable and fragile contexts
"By empowering vulnerable communities with the knowledge, tools, and technologies needed to adapt, we are investing in agrifood solutions that bring food security, support livelihoods, and help countries confront climate change."
The new announcements were made during the fortieth meeting of the GCF Board held in Songdo, Incheon, Republic of Korea from 21-24 October.
Regarding the Iraqi project, the FAO made the following statement:
Bringing water and life to Iraq's drylands
In Iraq, a country grappling with rising temperatures and dwindling water resources amid the rebuilding of political stability, the "Strengthening Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Agriculture Livelihoods in Iraq's Rural Communities" (SRVALI) project will receive a $29.25 million grant from the GCF, with a total project worth of $38.95 million ($9.7 million in co-financing). This six-year FAO-led project will focus on enhancing water-use efficiency, promoting climate-resilient agriculture, and empowering women to become agents of change in their communities.
The SRVALI project aims to combat the increasing water and food security challenges caused by climate change in Iraq, focusing on three governorates: Karbala, Muthanna, and Najaf. These areas are particularly vulnerable due to their arid climate, limited arable land, and reliance on agriculture.
"We are very pleased to implement this project which will enhance the climate resilience of agriculture households in Iraq's rural communities, and support Iraq's climate change policy," said Jasim al Falahi, Ministry of Environment technical deputy minister. "The project will radically transform Iraq's agriculture sector, making it more climate resilient, equitable and sustainable with more efficient and improved water distribution systems," he added.
The project will introduce climate-adaptive infrastructure and farming practices to improve water-use efficiency and crop yields. Key activities include upgrading irrigation canals, installing solar panels on farmland, providing training in climate-resilient farming, and empowering women with knowledge of climate adaptation measures. The project aims to bring over 121,000 hectares of farmland under climate-resilient management.
By enhancing the climate resilience of rural households, the initiative is expected to have a significant impact on food security and livelihoods in Iraq. It will directly benefit 2 million people, half of whom are women, and create employment opportunities for internally displaced persons.
The project also has a broader goal of promoting sustainable development and knowledge transfer. By working with Iraqi ministries and universities, the project aims to integrate climate-resilient technologies and approaches into agricultural programs and policy planning. This will help to scale up climate adaptation efforts across the country and potentially even replicate successful practices in other countries in the region.
(Source: FAO)
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