Thirsty

Climate Change in a Waterless Place

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is thirsty. The most water-scarce region on earth is one of the most vulnerable to and most affected by the climate crisis. In 2022, as those with the power to change the trajectory of climate change gathered at the COP 27 in Egypt, MENA baked through one of the hottest summers on record, seeing rivers and dams dry up, unprecedented heat waves, harvests destroyed, dust storms, and drought.

Through documentary photography, this project examines the human impact of environmental degradation across three countries, documenting how climate-induced water scarcity affects agricultural communities from Tunisia's coastal regions to Iraq's fertile valleys and Jordan's arid landscapes. Each location represents a different face of the climate emergency: saltwater intrusion in Mediterranean Tunisia, extreme drought in Iraq's Diyala province, and water resource depletion in Jordan's highlands.

Without action, climate change will push temperature rises above 2.7 degrees (and in some parts of Africa 5 degrees) and every aspect of everyday life in MENA will be affected, especially for those who are least responsible for global emissions. Climate impact will cause or exacerbate so many of the issues the region faces; health crises, economic collapse, forced migration, water wars, conflicts, food insecurity, drought, desertification, corruption, inequality, coastal erosion, and rising sea levels will all be affected if we don't do enough to stop the march of the climate crisis.

This photojournalism project shows how climate change has impacted three farmers in three different contexts: Khaldah Salamah in Iraq's Diyala province, where rivers have dried and agricultural land lies barren; farmers in Gabés, Tunisia, where industrial pollution combines with climate effects to destroy traditional oasis farming; and agricultural communities in Madaba, Jordan, facing unprecedented water shortages in a country already among the world's most water-stressed nations.

The stories captured reveal the intersection of environmental justice and human rights, documenting communities that contribute least to global carbon emissions yet bear the heaviest burden of climate consequences. From abandoned villages in Iraq to struggling oasis farmers in Tunisia, these images witness the daily reality of climate adaptation in the world's most vulnerable region.

Gabés, Tunisia / Diyala, Iraq / Madaba, Jordan. 2022

This project was commissioned by OXFAM MENA as part of their climate advocacy efforts ahead of COP27.

Jordan is one of the most water-scarce countries in the world, making it vulnerable to climate change. These days the Wala dam, that provides water to the region and Amman (Jordan’s capital) is at 4% of its total water capacity. The dry landscape around it is testimony of the lack of water. / Madaba Governorate, Jordan. 2022. - Paula González Gavilanes
Jordan is one of the most water-scarce countries in the world, making it vulnerable to climate change. These days the Wala dam, that provides water to the region and Amman (Jordan’s capital) is at 4% of its total water capacity. The dry landscape around it is testimony of the lack of water. / Madaba Governorate, Jordan. 2022.
Faisal Al Shakhalbah's farm is behind one of the hills that guards Wala dam. His father and grandfather used to work the same lands. He explains that life and social norms in Jordan have changed a lot in a matter of three generations. His land. That has deteriorated in such ways it's almost unrecognizable. / Madaba, Jordan. 2022. - Paula González Gavilanes
Faisal Al Shakhalbah's farm is behind one of the hills that guards Wala dam. His father and grandfather used to work the same lands. He explains that life and social norms in Jordan have changed a lot in a matter of three generations. His land. That has deteriorated in such ways it's almost unrecognizable. / Madaba, Jordan. 2022.
In one of the greenhouses they are growing strawberries. The farmers hope the crop will be successful. Just outside the greenhouse there are eggplants on the ground, Faisel explains that the profit they could make from them was so low they didn’t even pick them. / Madaba Governorate, Jordan. 2022. - Paula González Gavilanes
In one of the greenhouses they are growing strawberries. The farmers hope the crop will be successful. Just outside the greenhouse there are eggplants on the ground, Faisel explains that the profit they could make from them was so low they didn’t even pick them. / Madaba Governorate, Jordan. 2022.
Faisel says he misses having animals, but because it became so expensive to maintain them he sold all of his goats, as many others have. Given the impossibility of making a living, he explains that most of the people living here left and only few, like him, remain. / Madaba Governorate, Jordan. 2022. - Paula González Gavilanes
Faisel says he misses having animals, but because it became so expensive to maintain them he sold all of his goats, as many others have. Given the impossibility of making a living, he explains that most of the people living here left and only few, like him, remain. / Madaba Governorate, Jordan. 2022.
In Eastern Iraq, the Diyala River is one of the main tributaries of the Tigris River, and local agriculture depends on its water. However in recent years it has dried, with dire consequences for agriculture in the region, and for the people living off their land. / Diyala Governorate, Iraq. 2022. - Paula González Gavilanes
In Eastern Iraq, the Diyala River is one of the main tributaries of the Tigris River, and local agriculture depends on its water. However in recent years it has dried, with dire consequences for agriculture in the region, and for the people living off their land. / Diyala Governorate, Iraq. 2022.
Khaldah Salamah is a local farmer whose land has gone dry. “We used to live as kings. It was like paradise. Everything changed.”, and she adds that “other governorates used to come here for crop yield, but not anymore. We have nothing due to the lack of rain and water. It’s been two years since it really rained. Rivers are don’t have water like before./ Tayha village, Diyala, Iraq. 2022. - Paula González Gavilanes
Khaldah Salamah is a local farmer whose land has gone dry. “We used to live as kings. It was like paradise. Everything changed.”, and she adds that “other governorates used to come here for crop yield, but not anymore. We have nothing due to the lack of rain and water. It’s been two years since it really rained. Rivers are don’t have water like before./ Tayha village, Diyala, Iraq. 2022.
“We used its water to grow trees; dates, pomegranate, oranges, lemon, everything.” says Khaldah and shows the pitiful fruits her land produces now. Rivers were full, we used the water for the lands. We even could drink directly from the rivers. It was clean water. / Tayha village, Diyala province, Iraq. 2022. - Paula González Gavilanes
“We used its water to grow trees; dates, pomegranate, oranges, lemon, everything.” says Khaldah and shows the pitiful fruits her land produces now. Rivers were full, we used the water for the lands. We even could drink directly from the rivers. It was clean water. / Tayha village, Diyala province, Iraq. 2022.
Many of the houses in the area are abandoned or in ruins. The province was one of the strongholds of Al-Qeda and later of the Islamic State. In the face of violence, many of the inhabitants were forced to flee. In recent years, slowly, the locals have been returning, however the drought threatens to displace them again/ Diyala Governorate, Iraq. 2022. - Paula González Gavilanes
Many of the houses in the area are abandoned or in ruins. The province was one of the strongholds of Al-Qeda and later of the Islamic State. In the face of violence, many of the inhabitants were forced to flee. In recent years, slowly, the locals have been returning, however the drought threatens to displace them again/ Diyala Governorate, Iraq. 2022.
In the last decades, due to various factors ranging from pollution to global warming, the oases of Tunisia and the region have greatly suffered. Now more than ever, their existence is under threat, and so is the population living in them. /Chenini, Gabès, Tunisia. 2022. - Paula González Gavilanes
In the last decades, due to various factors ranging from pollution to global warming, the oases of Tunisia and the region have greatly suffered. Now more than ever, their existence is under threat, and so is the population living in them. /Chenini, Gabès, Tunisia. 2022.
Zakaria Hachem, is a small scale farmer. Born in 1966, he has seen throughout his life the deterioration of Chenini, the oasis where he was born. As many local farmers, he has suffered first-hand the impact that this has on the local agriculture./ Chenini, Gabès, Tunisia. 2022. - Paula González Gavilanes
Zakaria Hachem, is a small scale farmer. Born in 1966, he has seen throughout his life the deterioration of Chenini, the oasis where he was born. As many local farmers, he has suffered first-hand the impact that this has on the local agriculture./ Chenini, Gabès, Tunisia. 2022.
At his feet, as well as all around him, the salt affecting the farmers can be seen: “What worsens the situation, is the gradual increase in salinity in the surface water. Because of the scarcity of rain the water doesn't renew so the salt level increases.” Explains Zacharia./Chenini, Gabès, Tunisia. 2022. - Paula González Gavilanes
At his feet, as well as all around him, the salt affecting the farmers can be seen: “What worsens the situation, is the gradual increase in salinity in the surface water. Because of the scarcity of rain the water doesn't renew so the salt level increases.” Explains Zacharia./Chenini, Gabès, Tunisia. 2022.
“All the fruits you can imagine existed here. At the time people called this place ‘the paradise of the world’. The types of planting started and continues to disappear gradually. We have learned to work our lands with our own knowledge. Chenin Oasis had the reputation of having the best products in terms of taste and quality.” recalls Zacharia. / Chenini, Gabès, Tunisia. 2022. - Paula González Gavilanes
“All the fruits you can imagine existed here. At the time people called this place ‘the paradise of the world’. The types of planting started and continues to disappear gradually. We have learned to work our lands with our own knowledge. Chenin Oasis had the reputation of having the best products in terms of taste and quality.” recalls Zacharia. / Chenini, Gabès, Tunisia. 2022.
Jordan is one of the most water-scarce countries in the world, making it vulnerable to climate change. These days the Wala dam, that provides water to the region and Amman (Jordan’s capital) is at 4% of its total water capacity. The dry landscape around it is testimony of the lack of water. / Madaba Governorate, Jordan. 2022. - Paula González Gavilanes
Faisal Al Shakhalbah's farm is behind one of the hills that guards Wala dam. His father and grandfather used to work the same lands. He explains that life and social norms in Jordan have changed a lot in a matter of three generations. His land. That has deteriorated in such ways it's almost unrecognizable. / Madaba, Jordan. 2022. - Paula González Gavilanes
In one of the greenhouses they are growing strawberries. The farmers hope the crop will be successful. Just outside the greenhouse there are eggplants on the ground, Faisel explains that the profit they could make from them was so low they didn’t even pick them. / Madaba Governorate, Jordan. 2022. - Paula González Gavilanes
Faisel says he misses having animals, but because it became so expensive to maintain them he sold all of his goats, as many others have. Given the impossibility of making a living, he explains that most of the people living here left and only few, like him, remain. / Madaba Governorate, Jordan. 2022. - Paula González Gavilanes
In Eastern Iraq, the Diyala River is one of the main tributaries of the Tigris River, and local agriculture depends on its water. However in recent years it has dried, with dire consequences for agriculture in the region, and for the people living off their land. / Diyala Governorate, Iraq. 2022. - Paula González Gavilanes
Khaldah Salamah is a local farmer whose land has gone dry. “We used to live as kings. It was like paradise. Everything changed.”, and she adds that “other governorates used to come here for crop yield, but not anymore. We have nothing due to the lack of rain and water. It’s been two years since it really rained. Rivers are don’t have water like before./ Tayha village, Diyala, Iraq. 2022. - Paula González Gavilanes
“We used its water to grow trees; dates, pomegranate, oranges, lemon, everything.” says Khaldah and shows the pitiful fruits her land produces now. Rivers were full, we used the water for the lands. We even could drink directly from the rivers. It was clean water. / Tayha village, Diyala province, Iraq. 2022. - Paula González Gavilanes
Many of the houses in the area are abandoned or in ruins. The province was one of the strongholds of Al-Qeda and later of the Islamic State. In the face of violence, many of the inhabitants were forced to flee. In recent years, slowly, the locals have been returning, however the drought threatens to displace them again/ Diyala Governorate, Iraq. 2022. - Paula González Gavilanes
In the last decades, due to various factors ranging from pollution to global warming, the oases of Tunisia and the region have greatly suffered. Now more than ever, their existence is under threat, and so is the population living in them. /Chenini, Gabès, Tunisia. 2022. - Paula González Gavilanes
Zakaria Hachem, is a small scale farmer. Born in 1966, he has seen throughout his life the deterioration of Chenini, the oasis where he was born. As many local farmers, he has suffered first-hand the impact that this has on the local agriculture./ Chenini, Gabès, Tunisia. 2022. - Paula González Gavilanes
At his feet, as well as all around him, the salt affecting the farmers can be seen: “What worsens the situation, is the gradual increase in salinity in the surface water. Because of the scarcity of rain the water doesn't renew so the salt level increases.” Explains Zacharia./Chenini, Gabès, Tunisia. 2022. - Paula González Gavilanes
“All the fruits you can imagine existed here. At the time people called this place ‘the paradise of the world’. The types of planting started and continues to disappear gradually. We have learned to work our lands with our own knowledge. Chenin Oasis had the reputation of having the best products in terms of taste and quality.” recalls Zacharia. / Chenini, Gabès, Tunisia. 2022. - Paula González Gavilanes
Commissioned by OXFAM MENA: Read the complete climate change investigation covering drought impacts in Iraq, Tunisia, and Jordan ahead of COP27. - Paula González Gavilanes
Commissioned by OXFAM MENA: Read the complete climate change investigation covering drought impacts in Iraq, Tunisia, and Jordan ahead of COP27.

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