LADP in Iraq – Basra PDS Local Area Development Programme in Iraq Financed by the Implemented European Union by UNDP PROVINCIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY BASRA GOVERNORATE November 2017 LADP in Iraq – Basra PDS 2 LADP in Iraq – Basra PDS FOREWORD BY THE GOVERNOR … 3 LADP in Iraq – Basra PDS 4 LADP in Iraq – Basra PDS CONTENT PSD Basra Governorate Foreword by the Governor ............................................................................................................................... 3 Content ............................................................................................................................................................ 5 List of Figures ................................................................................................................................................... 7 List of Tables .................................................................................................................................................... 8 Abbreviations ................................................................................................................................................... 9 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 11 1. Purpose of the PDS ................................................................................................................................... 11 2. Organisation of the PDS............................................................................................................................ 11 3. Methodology ............................................................................................................................................. 11 4. PDS development process ........................................................................................................................ 12 I. Context .................................................................................................................................................. 15 1. Location and administrative division ....................................................................................................... 15 2. Geography and natural resources ........................................................................................................... 16 2.1. Geology and soil parent material ............................................................................................................... 16 2.2. Surface features .......................................................................................................................................... 17 2.3. Climate......................................................................................................................................................... 17 2.4. Groundwater resources .............................................................................................................................. 17 2.5. Surface water resources ............................................................................................................................. 18 2.6. Arable land .................................................................................................................................................. 21 3. Environment .............................................................................................................................................. 21 3.1. Overview of the ecological situation ......................................................................................................... 21 3.2. Mesopotamian marshes – history, status and importance of Al Ahwar ................................................. 22 3.3. Freshwater wetlands in Basra .................................................................................................................... 25 3.4. Jabal Senam ................................................................................................................................................. 27 3.5. Marine environment ................................................................................................................................... 27 4. History ....................................................................................................................................................... 28 4.1. Historical significance ................................................................................................................................. 28 4.2. Recent history ............................................................................................................................................. 29 II. Social profile .......................................................................................................................................... 31 1. Population ................................................................................................................................................. 31 2. IDPs ............................................................................................................................................................ 32 3. Living conditions ....................................................................................................................................... 33 4. Social protection ....................................................................................................................................... 34 5. Civil rights and citizen engagement ......................................................................................................... 36 III. Economic profile .................................................................................................................................... 37 1. Economic development ............................................................................................................................ 37 2. Oil and gas ................................................................................................................................................. 38 3. Industry...................................................................................................................................................... 39 4. Sea transport ............................................................................................................................................. 41 5. Agriculture ................................................................................................................................................. 41 6. Tourism ...................................................................................................................................................... 43 IV. Public service delivery ............................................................................................................................ 44 1. Transport network .................................................................................................................................... 44 2. Drinking water supply ............................................................................................................................... 47 3. Wastewater management ........................................................................................................................ 49 4. Municipal services – waste management ............................................................................................... 51 5. Electricity service ...................................................................................................................................... 53 6. Communications ....................................................................................................................................... 54 5 LADP in Iraq – Basra PDS 7. Housing ...................................................................................................................................................... 55 8. Education................................................................................................................................................... 55 8.1. Pre-school education (kindergartens) ....................................................................................................... 56 8.2. Primary education ....................................................................................................................................... 56 8.3. Secondary education .................................................................................................................................. 57 8.4. Vocational education .................................................................................................................................. 57 8.5. Higher education......................................................................................................................................... 57 9. Healthcare ................................................................................................................................................. 58 V. Governance ............................................................................................................................................ 59 1. Local governance bodies .......................................................................................................................... 59 2. Governorate budget ................................................................................................................................