In Iraq, the Covid-19 infection curve continues to rise. For the first time in its history, the country is facing a non-military threat that exceeds the causes of violent death. Now is the right time to promote one of Iraqi civil society's cherished themes: defending the lives and well-being of the population by investing in human and environmental security instead of military security. To promote hygiene in Iraq, as an essential way to protect against the virus, it is necessary to guarantee the right to clean and potable water, which is endangered by the country's mismanagement of water resources and the widespread pollution of water and land.
Therefore, in cooperation with the local NGO Human Dijla, Un Ponte Per will work in 9 Iraqi cities: Baghdad, Sulaymaniyah, Hit, Ramadi, Diwaniyah, Amara, Babel, Basra and Tikrit with two objectives: to defend the right of access to clean water and to raise awareness among the population and local authorities on the connection between environmental safety, health and human security. But also to protect environmental activists who are threatened in Iraq for their non-violent action in defence of the human security of the population.
This will include training courses for 540 activistsə on Covid-19 prevention measures, water and environmental protection, public awareness campaigns targeting 27,000 people, advocacy seminars for politicians and entrepreneurs, and courses for schools targeting 1,800 studentsə. The results will be shared at a National Social Forum on Human and Environmental Security and Resilience of Iraq at Covid among Iraqi and international activists and social workers.
A national campaign targeting local authorities for the protection of human rights defenders will be organised, with a special focus on environmental activists. A Shelter for threatened human rights defenders will be opened in an Iraqi safe location, with co-funding from the European Union's Protect Defenders programme.
