Title: The Tragic Tale of Basra's Water Crisis: A Story of Neglect and Mismanagement

The city of Basra in southern Iraq has been plagued by a water crisis for decades, which recently reached catastrophic levels. In 2018, at least 118,000 people were hospitalized due to symptoms related to poor water quality, prompting widespread protests and outrage. While experts disagree on the exact cause of the illness, they all agree that it was linked to the degradation of Basra's water sources.

The crisis in Basra is a result of multiple government failures since the 1980s. Poor management of upstream sources, inadequate regulation of pollution and sewage, and chronic neglect and mismanagement of water infrastructure have contributed to the deterioration of the city's water quality. For almost three decades, Iraqi authorities have failed to properly manage and regulate Iraq's water resources, depriving the people in Basra governorate of their right to safe drinking water.

The consequences of this negligence are devastating. Hundreds of residents stormed the Basra Health Directorate in August 2018 to protest the poor health services provided to those affected by the crisis. The hospitals were overwhelmed with patients suffering from rashes, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. The city's primary water sources, the Shatt al-Arab river and its freshwater canals, have been contaminated due to poor management and neglect.

The head of the office of the Independent High Commission for Human Rights in Basra, Mehdi Al-Tamimi, stated that by September 29, the number of cases had reached 100,000. However, the Iraqi Ministry of Health denied the existence of a serious epidemic or disease due to water contamination, despite hundreds of people continuing to be hospitalized each day.

The situation in Basra highlights the urgent need for government accountability and action to address the city's water crisis. The people of Basra deserve better, and it is imperative that their right to safe drinking water is respected. As we continue to monitor this crisis, it is clear that only through transparency and cooperation can we work towards a solution that prioritizes the health and well-being of those affected.

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