Eco-friendly Group

Overview

A student team from the University of Duhok, in partnership with UNICEF and supervised by Dr. Bahzad Muhammed Khaled, carried out a Participatory Action Research (PAR) project to address flooding and soil erosion, focusing on the Hishkaro River area. The study aimed to assess flood risks, analyze causes, and recommend sustainable protection strategies.

What We Did

• Field visits to flood-affected homes
• Surveys with residents, officials, and experts
• Rainfall data analysis (2021–2023) from 5 weather stations
• GIS mapping to identify high-risk zones
• Community interviews for local experiences and solutions

Key Findings

• 82% of residents experienced flood/erosion impacts
• 96% consider floods a major community concern
• Main causes: Poor land management (65%), heavy rainfall, and climate change
• 63.4% of Duhok is at high to very high flood risk
• Rainfall intensity has sharply increased (2023: 150 ml in 24 hrs)
• Preventive awareness is low: Only 28% joined flood prevention efforts
• Preferred solutions: Tree/vegetation planting (19%), retaining walls (13%), slope stabilization (10%)

Team Recommendations

• Natural Solutions: Plant vegetation along rivers to stabilize soil and reduce erosion
• Structural Measures: Build retaining walls, rainwater harvesting systems, and flood retention ponds
• Community Engagement: Launch education campaigns; 93% willing to participate
• Government & Policy: Improve infrastructure, enforce land-use laws, and compensate flood victims
• Technology Use: Continue GIS mapping and rainfall tracking for better forecasting

Conclusion

Flooding and erosion are growing threats in Duhok, caused by both natural and human factors. While awareness exists, actions are limited. Combining green infrastructure, public education, and policy reform is essential to protect communities and build long-term resilience.