The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a Loan Agreement (L/A) with the Government of the Republic of Iraq on December 24 in Baghdad for the “Samawah Waterworks Improvement Project” up to 45,298 million yen. This project aims to improve water supply volume, water quality, water supply time, and effective use of water resources by constructing water supply facilities including desalination facilities in Samawah City, Musanna Province, thereby ensuring a stable drinking water supply and promoting economic and social development in the city. Signing ceremony
The project site, Samawah City, is where the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) was deployed in 2004 after the Iraq War to conduct reconstruction assistance activities. 2024 will mark the 20th anniversary of the deployment of the GSDF. Even after the Self-Defense Forces’ deployment ended, JICA has continued to cooperate in various ways, including the construction of bridges with yen loans from JICA.
On the other hand, due to repeated wars and deteriorating security conditions throughout Iraq, water supply facilities have not been sufficiently renewed and maintained, resulting in a decline in water quality and water supply rates, and the quality of people’s lives has deteriorated significantly. Although Samawah is the capital of Musanna Province, there is no large-scale water treatment plant in the city, and the city is heavily dependent on water supply from water treatment facilities outside the city. In addition, due to the low capacity of the water treatment plants outside the city and leaks during water delivery, the city is unable to secure an adequate water supply and meet the water demand of its residents. In addition, the Euphrates River near the city has been receiving less rainfall due to climate change, and the salinity of the river is extremely high due to the inflow of seawater from the Persian Gulf, etc. Desalination is necessary to use the water for drinking.
In light of this situation, we will construct water supply facilities and water pipes, including desalination facilities, in Samawah City, Musanna Province, to improve water supply volume, water quality, and water supply time, and to make effective use of water resources. By improving the level of drinking water service in the city, the project will contribute to SDG Goal 6 (Provide safe water and toilets to all over the world). The project is expected to promote stable drinking water supply and economic and social development.
Details of the project are as follows
Loan Amount and Terms
Project name Loan amount
(Millions of yen) Interest rate (%/year) Redemption period
(years) Settlement period
(years) Procurement Terms and Conditions Main Body Consulting Services Somerva Waterworks Improvement Project
（Samawah Water Supply Improvement Project)
45,298 TORF
+100bp
0.2% 25 7 General Untied
- Project Implementing Agency
Ministry of Construction, Housing, Municipalities and Public Works (MCHMPW), Iraq
Address: MCHMPW building, Baghdad, Republic of Iraq
Schedule for future project implementation (tentative)
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