UNICEF backs urgent action to protect Iraq’s rivers and children’s health

UNICEF welcomes calls by the Ministry of Environment and the Iraqi Parliament for urgent national action to tackle pollution in Iraq’s rivers. The organisation stands ready to support the Government of Iraq in safeguarding this lifeline for children, families and communities.

For generations, the Tigris and Euphrates have sustained life in Iraq. But in 2025, one of the country’s most severe water-scarcity years in recent memory, many urban families could not rely on safe water.

“Every child in Iraq deserves clean water to drink, wash and stay healthy. Yet polluted rivers expose children to illness and malnutrition, disrupt their education and threaten family livelihoods. We must act now to stop this contamination,” said Christian Skoog, UNICEF Representative in Iraq.

Climate change is intensifying the challenge. Rising temperatures, repeated droughts and reduced river flows are expected to place further pressure on Iraq’s water supplies. Protecting rivers from pollution is therefore critical to preserving scarce water, strengthening food security and building a more resilient future.

UNICEF is ready to support the Government of Iraq and partners to:

• Coordinate action, so support reaches the communities most in need.
• Expand safe wastewater collection, treatment and reuse.
• Strengthen water-quality monitoring and enforcement of environmental standards.
• Mobilise financing for water and sanitation services that can withstand climate shocks.
• Place children’s needs and ideas at the centre of national water and climate policies.
• Support communities, especially young people, to protect rivers and promote a healthier environment.

By acting together today, we can keep Iraq’s rivers clean and give every child the chance to grow, learn and thrive.