Climate change is regarded as one of the primary causes of the phenomenon of desertification, which has recently spread in most of Iraq’s central and southern governorates, alongside the decline in river levels and scarcity of rainfall, as well as human factors such as reluctance to cultivate and the bulldozing of orchards to make way for residential complexes, as well as a lack of community awareness and culture about the importance of caring for the environment.
Haider Al-Araji, the Diwaniyah Governorate’s communication coordinator, stated, “As part of its humanitarian efforts and continuous endeavour to meet the dangers of climate change, the Iraqi Red Crescent Society initiated an expanded afforestation campaign targeting all areas of the governorate to restore their vegetation cover.”

“As a first stage of afforestation, (500) seedlings were planted at the entrances and exits of Diwaniyah’s city centre, as well as its districts and sub-districts, as well as government institutions and schools,” he added.

“The campaign are going to continue for (4) consecutive days with the distinguished participation of the Red Crescents’ employees and volunteers,” he said, “because the afforestation operations were carried out in accordance with controls that stress the correct selection of afforestation sites, taking into account the factors for the campaign’s success, represented by suitable soil and sites that provide nearby water sources.”

“The goal of the Iraqi Red Crescent Society initiative is to sustain green spaces in order to preserve the environment,” it emphasises.