Attachments
A. SITUATION ANALYSIS
Description of the disaster
Iraq is at risk of multiple disasters ranging from natural phenomena such as drought, sandstorms, heatwaves, and floods, to man-made ones. After one of the driest years in decades, heavy rains slammed Iraq’s northern Kurdish region on 17 December 2021. The overnight rainfall caused a flash flood in Erbil, the region’s capital, and the Kirkuk governorate in northern Iraq. Destructive consequences ensued, as houses, infrastructure, and vehicles were damaged. In the early hours of the morning, muddy water inundated people’s homes in Erbil's Daratu, Qushtapa, Shamamk, Zhyan, Roshinbiri, and Bahrka neighborhoods, forcing inhabitants out of their houses. According to the Kurdish region’s government, as of 19 December 2021, 14 casualties were reported, and 7,000 individuals were affected by the floods. IRCS carried out further rapid assessments to confirm the number of casualties and affected families, reaching a total of 14 casualties and 7,500 people affected (1,250 families). Officials urged residents to stay off the roads and avoid flooded areas. The floodwaters later receded, and government authorities started clearing flood debris in the affected areas. Iraq had witnessed record-low rainfall that year; nonetheless, officials had warned about sporadic heavy rains resulting from climate change. Experts warned the rainfalls, compounded by climate change, represent a social and economic threat to war-scarred Iraq. The disastrous heavy rains came at a time when Iraq was already suffering from severe droughts, with seven million Iraqis already affected along with the majority of agricultural lands. IFRC, on behalf of IRCS, had launched a DREF operation for droughts to cater to the pressing needs of the affected population in three governorates.