Social security and violence in light of the drought and desertification crisis

Al-Nidal Society for Human Rights participated in a dialogue session carried out by the Iraqi Al-Amal Society in cooperation with the Iraqi Social Forum, entitled (Social Security and Violence in Light of the Drought and Desertification Crisis) in Baghdad on Thursday, May 25, 2023. It comes within the activities of the Democracy Promotion Program implemented by Al-Amal Society in partnership. With the Norwegian People’s Aid NPA.

In the presence of a number of specialized guests and participants, the session comes on the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity
A colleague in the Al-Nidal Society, a researcher and activist in the field of the environment (Aws Al-Qassab), presented an important intervention on the role of Iraqi civil society in reducing social security gaps and violence resulting from the lack of biodiversity due to climate change (challenges and opportunities).

There was a wide discussion among the participants about procedures and means to stop the loss of biological diversity, by preserving natural habitats, protecting threatened species and preventing their extinction, in addition to stopping the illegal hunting and trafficking of protected species of plants and animals, and raising awareness of the importance of preserving biological diversity and integrating it into strategies. Countries and development plans, in addition to urgent measures to reduce the crisis of drought and desertification resulting from the lack of a green belt in Iraq, converting agricultural land into residential, draining the marshes, and building many dams on the tributaries of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, and the crisis it poses represented by the threat to social security and the spread of violence.