Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani holds meeting on drought preparedness

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) – Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani today chaired a special meeting with the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, the Governors of Erbil, Sulaimaniyah, Duhok, and Halabja, the supervisors of the Raparin and Garmian Administrations, and representatives from the Ministries of Municipality and Planning to discuss a response plan to drought risks in the Kurdistan Region.

The plan will center on addressing low levels of rain in the Kurdistan Region, the economic impact of droughts on different sectors of the Kurdistan Region’s economy, and means to protect the Kurdistan Region’s agricultural sector. The Kurdistan Regional Government will also be allocating special funds to priorities clean water and support to agricultural and industrial projects that will offset the impact of droughts on the Kurdistan Region, including small dam projects to preserve rainwater.

Officials agreed to work with the Federal Government of Iraq on this issue and determine a joint approach to minimise the effects of droughts on the safety and stability of the country. The Kurdistan Regional Government will also be reaching out through diplomatic channels to neighbouring countries to address growing water insecurity in the region.