BAGHDAD, Iraq - Heavy seasonal rains from 24 March to 2 April caused flooding and damage in several governorates in the central and northern governorates in Iraq, especially the regions through which the Tigris River runs.
The severe weather has led to the drastic increase of the water levels in the river and its tributaries, causing the displacement of at least one thousand families.
“We were sleeping one night when we suddenly woke up to the sound of thunder and to water flooding our house,” says Zahra, 39, from Beji. “We had no choice but to quickly leave home in the middle of the night, leaving everything behind.”
The continuous showers made it difficult for Zahra, and a hundred of other women in the affected areas, to return to their houses to collect their personal belongings, including hygiene items.
“We are currently staying with my sister and her family: we are 15 people in a two-bedroom apartment. Our resources are scarce, therefore, we are only able to afford to the most essential commodities, mainly food,” she adds.
Since 4 April, UNFPA, with the generous contribution of its donors, supported the distribution of 568 dignity kits through partners in the flood-affected areas of Diyala and Salahuddin. Reaching some of the locations was challenging forcing the volunteers and the social workers to reach the families by boat.
Each dignity kit included a blanket, a hairbrush, sanitary pads, underwear, slippers, a sewing kit, towels, a abaya, and a shampoo among other essential items for women hygiene.
In addition, the teams working at the UNFPA-supported women centres continue to conduct visits to the flooded areas, together with local authorities and community leaders, providing the necessary information on flood response and offering emergency psychological first aid to women, girls and young people in these areas.
“This type of assistance makes women feel that they are not forgotten, that they matter and that their needs, especially in emergencies, are essential”, smiles Zahra.
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UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, delivers a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.
For more information or media inquiries please contact: Salwa Moussa, Communications Specialist, smoussa@unfpa.org
