Why Iraq's great rivers are dying
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- Опубліковано 1 лип 2019
- And the timing couldn't be worse.
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Iraq gets almost all of its water from two rivers: The Tigris and the Euphrates. Both begin in Turkey and make their way down the entire length of the country, before emptying into the Persian Gulf. The problem is - they are drying up.
There are two main reasons for this. The first is geographical: Since both rivers begin in Turkey, Iraq doesn’t have control of how much water it receives. In the last 30 years, Turkey, Syria, and Iran have been building hundreds of dams along both rivers. Now only a quarter of the Euphrates reaches Iraq. Secondly, Iraq has been stuck in conflict for the last 16 years. In each case, the delicate network of treatment plants, dams, canals, and pipes has been repeatedly destroyed and neglected.
All of this has boiled over in the city of Basra - at Iraq’s southern tip. Last summer, after hundreds were poisoned by the water - riots erupted and were deeply destabilizing for the new Iraqi government. If Iraq is to rebuild, it needs to get fresh water to its people - a challenge that is getting harder every year.
Through Vox Atlas, producer Sam Ellis demonstrates where conflicts occur on a map and the ways in which foreign policy shapes a region. Watch all the episodes here: bit.ly/2SThVsf
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Thank you for watching today's Vox Atlas! I wanted to leave a note about our process since so many of you have asked. First of all, yes, Atlas takes a TON of research and reporting. Thankfully I have a talented team of journalists beside me to make it all possible.
That's upsetting. These rivers are so important to human history!
Mesopotamia is literally the first thing you learn about in ancient civilisation. The Tigris and Euphrates drying up cannot be tolerated
"Water , Water is everywhere but not a drop to drink " . Soon , water will cost more than Oil. Sad.
I live in Iraq and unfortunately we are experiencing a lack of services and this negatively affects ourselves😭😭
No clean water, no electricity (blackouts happen 4+ times a day and most of the electricity comes from private generators), No reliable internet structure, no road maintenance, no good hospitals, and most (not all) of iraqis want to get out of the country. truly sad.
I`m an Iraqi and I really want to thank you for making this video on the upcoming Iraq most dangerous event that we may face in the few years coming. Thank you Vox.
Its sad how those two rivers gave life to legendary first human civilizations, and now modern people are killing them with their trash. Perfect picture of todays society.
Compliments to your team on producing these insightful documentaries. Educational and eye opening.
As a giant history *enthusiast*, it’s really sad to see that two rivers that are so important to so much of human history are drying up.
I am from Basra and this video shattered my heart even more ....
A mountain of gold.
Outstanding reporting, flawlessly presented. Thank you.
video length is
Poor Iraq has been under so much troubled times, and it just keep going...
This has been written. Mountain of gold is emerging.
The river that help flourish ancient civilizations is dying! So painful
im from Iraq, this video is like bullets hitting my body every second, really painful
Iraq : I want water
Really good report as always!