On July 2003, the Italian Ministry of Environment financed a project called "New Eden" to the Iraq Foundation, an NGO active in the reconstruction effort in Iraq. The objective of the project focuses on the identification and prioritization of key water management problems, and on development of a comprehensive policy using a participatory process for water resources management in Iraq. Through resource planning, the project has identified actions to bring major improvements to the welfare of the Iraqi population and condition of their environment, both of which have significantly deteriorated over the last decade. The project would guide donor assistance for development and contribute beneficially to water management, including investments from other economic sectors. The first phase of the project was dedicated to data gathering to create an organized and comprehensive overview of the biophysical and socio-economical data. On the basis of collected data, the development of an integrated water management model is important to understand Iraq's water needs and to prepare an action plan for the management of water resources in Iraq. A major objective of the project includes concrete proposals for immediate actions that do not require substantial financing, but which can bring significant and rapid results to the Iraqi people and their environment. These analyses define the Priority Action Plan in agreement with local authorities and stakeholders to outline the capital investment program of emergency water works in selected critical areas. Successful completion of this project entailed the collaboration and cooperation of the existing engineering and scientific community in Iraq through missions of Italian and U.S.A. technicians coupled with the efforts of local Iraqi Foundation experts. Our approach included collaboration with local experts to identify and assist in solving key water-and environment-related problems.
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