April 22, 2022
News
It is important to remember that everything around us affects our ability to survive on this planet, including our immediate surroundings, such as air and water, trees and other wildlife, as well as the soil and rocks. With numerous programmes and efforts in Iraqi cities, Caritas Czech Republic has always strived to improve the local environment. By focusing on the most vulnerable communities in Al-Heet district, Anbar Governorate, Caritas Czech Republic aims to improve their community's ability to withstand disasters.
Improving access to drinking water
There are a considerable number of water treatment facilities in the Anbar Governorate. Many of these plants, however, were overlooked because of the political and economic turmoil in the region. Because of this, they lacked cleanliness and were not efficient enough to deliver water to the local population.
We now operate 17 water treatment facilities in three Al-Heet district sites:
- 5 stations in Al-Heet Center
- 5 stations in Al-Baghdadi district
- And 7 stations in Al-Furat district
Together 450 beneficiaries helped rebuild these water treatment plants to provide water for the local people living in the region. We have recently rehabilitated almost all of these water treatment facilities. In order to provide safe drinking water for the residents of the area, we have epoxy painted the filters and sedimentation tanks on the inside.
Rehabilitating irrigation canal
Caritas Czech Republic also rehabilitated the Al-Mohammadi irrigation canal, located in the Al-Mohammadi sub-district of the Al-Heet district, with the help of 240 participants of the cash-for-work programme under the same project.
This 3-kilometre-long irrigation canal was cleaned, and concrete was poured into the affected areas to prevent water leakage and increase the canal's capacity, allowing it to serve many families and 1,500 acres of agricultural land.
Mr. Fadhel Jubeir Awad, a member of the Al-Mohammadi district community committee, said: "More than 150 local farmers were suffering because they could not farm due to lack of water caused by the huge number of sediments, dirt, plants, and cracks in this irrigation canal."
"The farmers are now able to farm again after Caritas Czech Republic removed the bushes and sediments and filled up the damaged sections. The residents of the region rely on agriculture and livestock rearing as their livelihood, and this initiative helps them increase their sole source of income," he added.
More green spaces for the community
We have rehabilitated two abandoned public parks and established a public park in Al-Baghdadi and Al-Kubaisa sub-districts, transforming these areas into green spaces for residents’ enjoyment and recreation.
Caritas Czech Republic is also working to improve the aesthetic appearance of the governorate's main streets by planting sidewalks. This is only the beginning. There is still much work to be done and we are eager to contribute to the improvement of the environment in which we live.
