Minister of Water Resources responds to Kirkuk water crisis

KIRKUK, August 17 — Iraq’s Minister of Water Resources has agreed to dispatch a senior official to Kirkuk following the governor’s plea for help addressing an acute water crisis affecting the area.

A statement from the Kirkuk’s governorate’s press office said:

The Minister of Water Resources will heed the Kirkuk governor’s request, sending the Director-General of the National Center for Water Resources Management to Kirkuk to find solutions for the water issue and ensure its supply in the governorate.

Governor of Kirkuk, Rakan Said Al-Jubouri, discussed with Engineer Hatem Hameed Al-Tamimi, the Director-General of the National Center for Water Resources Management in Iraq, the provision of water for Kirkuk residents and as well as livelihood opportunities for fish farmers.

During the meeting (attended by administrative assistants, directors of water resources, roads, bridges, and drilling wells) they discussed the allocation of water share for Kirkuk residents, to be implemented from [Thursday]. They also discussed minimizing damage, finding alternatives, considering the livelihood conditions of fish farmers in Kirkuk, and reducing harm to groundwater, while ensuring citizens’ rights to livelihoods without disrupting their income. The understanding of the Ministry of Water Resources’ measures was emphasized.