FAO/Mazen Haffar

The current low level of flow of the river Euphrates has led to the interruption of irrigation in both Ar-Raqqa and Deir-Ez-Zor Governorates. This in turn has worsened the adverse effects of the twelve-year crisis on the livelihoods of local communities many of whom had been displaced and were highly vulnerable.

In collaboration with OCHA and UNHCR, FAO has conducted rehabilitation works on a number of small-scale pumping sets in the two governorates to adjust to new river levels. This has allowed more than 8 845 farming households (5 915 in Deir-Ez-Zor; 2 930 in Ar-Raqqa) to restore their agricultural activities by irrigating about 5 600 hectares of land, and improving food production in the targeted areas. 

This critical intervention aims to assist vulnerable farmers to improve their food and nutrition security, strengthen agricultural productivity, and avoiding further displacement and abandonment of lands. This is done through installing new pumping sets and generators, as well as conducting maintenance works on existing equipment.

“Through this collaboration, FAO, UNHCR and OCHA seek to achieve sustainable access to irrigation for farmers,” said Wael Seif, FAO national team leader for water and irrigation. “The interventions help sustain available water for food production and enhance farmers’ capacity through training in irrigation management, efficient irrigation techniques, and operation and maintenance of small-scale irrigation systems. Our hope is that such a step has helped save the wheat season this year for these farmers, and will encourage the displaced to return to their lands knowing that their livelihoods can be secured,” he added.