Iraq is grappling with one of its most severe droughts in recent history, with more than one-fifth of the country’s agricultural land now abandoned, according to recent reports.

Farmers have been forced to leave their lands due to persistent drought, infertile soil, and a shortage of agricultural inputs, exacerbating the already dire situation.

The ongoing drought, coupled with the negative effects of climate change and rising temperatures, has particularly devastated rural areas. Residents in these regions have been compelled to abandon livestock and farming, leading to significant migration away from their homes.

Hamid al-Naif, former spokesperson for Iraq’s Ministry of Environment and an environmental expert, described the situation as reaching the "most dangerous level." He urged the Iraqi government to take immediate action and implement alternatives to address the crisis.

According to Iraq's Ministry of Planning, 41% of the country’s land has undergone desertification. The agricultural lands, which once covered 22.21% of Iraq’s total area, have been largely deserted by farmers due to the worsening conditions.

A report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) published in 2023 revealed that by mid-March, approximately 12,212 families—equivalent to 73,272 individuals—were forced to migrate due to drought in 10 provinces across Iraq. The mass migration underscores the urgency of the crisis, as thousands continue to be displaced by the harsh environmental conditions.

The situation has raised alarms among experts and policymakers, who are calling for urgent measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change and provide support to those affected by the drought. (ILKHA)