Sabah Thamer al-Baher sits at his home in the Chebayesh marsh, Dhi Qar province, Iraq, August 15, 2021. Iraq's 2020-2021 rainfall season was the second driest in 40 years, according to the United Nations, causing the salinity of the wetlands to rise to dangerous levels. Animals fell sick and died, and Baher was forced to buy fresh drinking water for his own herd of around 20 buffaloes, his only source of income. Another drought is predicted for 2023 as climate change, pollution and upstream damming keep Iraq trapped in a cycle of recurring water crises. "The marshes are our life. If droughts persist, we will stop to exist, because our whole life depends on water and raising water buffaloes," said Baher. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY SEARCH "MARSHES AL-SUDANI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Buffaloes are seen in the Chebayesh marsh, Dhi Qar province, Iraq, July 7, 2021. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani SEARCH "MARSHES AL-SUDANI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

A child poses for a photograph at the Chebayesh marsh in Dhi Qar province, Iraq, August 25, 2021. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani SEARCH "MARSHES AL-SUDANI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Sabah Thamer al-Baher milks a buffalo in the Chebayesh marsh, Dhi Qar province, Iraq, August 25, 2021. Iraq's 2020-2021 rainfall season was the second driest in 40 years, according to the United Nations, causing the salinity of the wetlands to rise to dangerous levels. Animals fell sick and died, and Baher was forced to buy fresh drinking water for his own herd of around 20 buffaloes, his only source of income. Another drought is predicted for 2023 as climate change, pollution and upstream damming keep Iraq trapped in a cycle of recurring water crises. "The marshes are our life. If droughts persist, we will stop to exist, because our whole life depends on water and raising water buffaloes," said Baher. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani SEARCH "MARSHES AL-SUDANI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Mohammed Thamer Al-Baher drives his boat as he collects reeds at the Chebayesh marsh, Dhi Qar province, Iraq, August 25, 2021. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani SEARCH "MARSHES AL-SUDANI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Mohammed Thamer Al-Baher lies in a tent at the Chebayesh marsh in Dhi Qar province, Iraq, August 25, 2021. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani SEARCH "MARSHES AL-SUDANI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Mohammed Thamer Al-Baher collects reeds after cutting them down at the Chebayesh marsh, Dhi Qar province, Iraq, August 25, 2021. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani SEARCH "MARSHES AL-SUDANI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Sabah Thamer al-Baher feeds his two-year-old daughter Fatema buffalo milk at their home in the Chebayesh marsh, Dhi Qar province, Iraq, August 25, 2021. Iraq's 2020-2021 rainfall season was the second driest in 40 years, according to the United Nations, causing the salinity of the wetlands to rise to dangerous levels. Animals fell sick and died, and Baher was forced to buy fresh drinking water for his own herd of around 20 buffaloes, his only source of income. Another drought is predicted for 2023 as climate change, pollution and upstream damming keep Iraq trapped in a cycle of recurring water crises. "The marshes are our life. If droughts persist, we will stop to exist, because our whole life depends on water and raising water buffaloes," said Baher. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani SEARCH "MARSHES AL-SUDANI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Children play at the Chebayesh marsh, Dhi Qar province, Iraq, August 25, 2021. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani SEARCH "MARSHES AL-SUDANI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

A woman sits in her home in the Chebayesh marsh, Dhi Qar province, Iraq, August 25, 2021. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani SEARCH "MARSHES AL-SUDANI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

A man fishes at the Chebayesh marsh in Dhi Qar province, Iraq, August 24, 2021. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani SEARCH "MARSHES AL-SUDANI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Sabah Thamer al-Baher prepares animal medicine to give to a buffalo at the Chebayesh marsh in Dhi Qar province, Iraq, August 24, 2021. Iraq's 2020-2021 rainfall season was the second driest in 40 years, according to the United Nations, causing the salinity of the wetlands to rise to dangerous levels. Animals fell sick and died, and Baher was forced to buy fresh drinking water for his own herd of around 20 buffaloes, his only source of income. Another drought is predicted for 2023 as climate change, pollution and upstream damming keep Iraq trapped in a cycle of recurring water crises. "The marshes are our life. If droughts persist, we will stop to exist, because our whole life depends on water and raising water buffaloes," said Baher. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani SEARCH "MARSHES AL-SUDANI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Sabah Thamer al-Baher and his relatives capture a buffalo to give it medicine at the Chebayesh marsh, Dhi Qar province, Iraq, August 24, 2021. Iraq's 2020-2021 rainfall season was the second driest in 40 years, according to the United Nations, causing the salinity of the wetlands to rise to dangerous levels. Animals fell sick and died, and Baher was forced to buy fresh drinking water for his own herd of around 20 buffaloes, his only source of income. Another drought is predicted for 2023 as climate change, pollution and upstream damming keep Iraq trapped in a cycle of recurring water crises. "The marshes are our life. If droughts persist, we will stop to exist, because our whole life depends on water and raising water buffaloes," said Baher. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani SEARCH "MARSHES AL-SUDANI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

A woman makes breakfast at her home in the Chebayesh marsh, Dhi Qar province, Iraq, August 15, 2021. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani SEARCH "MARSHES AL-SUDANI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

A rooster sits on top of a house at the Chebayesh marsh in Dhi Qar province, Iraq, August 15, 2021. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani SEARCH "MARSHES AL-SUDANI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

A woman makes breakfast at home in the Chebayesh marsh, Dhi Qar province, Iraq, August 15, 2021. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani SEARCH "MARSHES AL-SUDANI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Sabah Thamer al-Baher sits by his home in the Chebayesh marsh, Dhi Qar province, Iraq, August 15, 2021. Iraq's 2020-2021 rainfall season was the second driest in 40 years, according to the United Nations, causing the salinity of the wetlands to rise to dangerous levels. Animals fell sick and died, and Baher was forced to buy fresh drinking water for his own herd of around 20 buffaloes, his only source of income. Another drought is predicted for 2023 as climate change, pollution and upstream damming keep Iraq trapped in a cycle of recurring water crises. "The marshes are our life. If droughts persist, we will stop to exist, because our whole life depends on water and raising water buffaloes," said Baher. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani SEARCH "MARSHES AL-SUDANI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Buffalo milk and bread is seen on a tray at the Chebayesh marsh, Dhi Qar province, Iraq, August 15, 2021. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani SEARCH "MARSHES AL-SUDANI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

A child sits by his home at the Chebayesh marsh, Dhi Qar province, Iraq, August 15, 2021. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani SEARCH "MARSHES AL-SUDANI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Thamer al-Baher walks near his home in the Chebayesh marsh, Dhi Qar province, Iraq, August 15, 2021. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani SEARCH "MARSHES AL-SUDANI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Buffaloes wade in the water of the Chebayesh marsh in Dhi Qar province, Iraq, August 15, 2021. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani SEARCH "MARSHES AL-SUDANI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Men collect fish at the Chebayesh marsh in Dhi Qar province, Iraq, August 15, 2021. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani SEARCH "MARSHES AL-SUDANI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

The house of Sabah Thamer al-Baher is seen in the Chebayesh marsh, Dhi Qar province, Iraq, August 15, 2021. Iraq's 2020-2021 rainfall season was the second driest in 40 years, according to the United Nations, causing the salinity of the wetlands to rise to dangerous levels. Animals fell sick and died, and Baher was forced to buy fresh drinking water for his own herd of around 20 buffaloes, his only source of income. Another drought is predicted for 2023 as climate change, pollution and upstream damming keep Iraq trapped in a cycle of recurring water crises. "The marshes are our life. If droughts persist, we will stop to exist, because our whole life depends on water and raising water buffaloes," said Baher.// REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani SEARCH "MARSHES AL-SUDANI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Men pray at the Chebayesh marsh in Dhi Qar province, Iraq, August 14, 2021. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani SEARCH "MARSHES AL-SUDANI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Low water levels are seen at the Chebayesh marsh, Dhi Qar province, Iraq, July 7, 2021. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani SEARCH "MARSHES AL-SUDANI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Sabah Thamer al-Baher carries reeds at the Chebayesh marsh, Dhi Qar province, Iraq, July 6, 2021. Iraq's 2020-2021 rainfall season was the second driest in 40 years, according to the United Nations, causing the salinity of the wetlands to rise to dangerous levels. Animals fell sick and died, and Baher was forced to buy fresh drinking water for his own herd of around 20 buffaloes, his only source of income. Another drought is predicted for 2023 as climate change, pollution and upstream damming keep Iraq trapped in a cycle of recurring water crises. "The marshes are our life. If droughts persist, we will stop to exist, because our whole life depends on water and raising water buffaloes," said Baher. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani SEARCH "MARSHES AL-SUDANI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Children play at their home at the Chebayesh marsh, Dhi Qar province, Iraq, July 6, 2021. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani SEARCH "MARSHES AL-SUDANI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

A boy makes lunch at his home in the Chebayesh marsh, Dhi Qar province, Iraq, July 6, 2021. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani SEARCH "MARSHES AL-SUDANI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES