E/C.12/IRQ/CO/4 reduction strategy that addresses the needs of disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups, and by allocating sufficient funds for its implementation. In this regard, the State party is referred to the Committee’s statement on poverty and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of 2001 (E/C.12/2001/10). Right to housing 47. The Committee is concerned about the shortage of 1 million housing units in the State party and the increase in the number of homeless persons and of informal settlements. The Committee is also concerned about the substandard housing conditions of internally displaced persons, many of whom live in critically substandard housing arrangements without access to water, sanitation, electricity and waste-disposal services (art. 11). 48. The Committee takes note of the information provided by the delegation on measures taken to build new housing units and urges the State party to step up its efforts in this regard. It also recommends that the State party provide information in its next periodic report on measures taken to address more effectively the incidence of homelessness and of forced evictions to which persons living in informal settlements are vulnerable. The Committee recommends that the State party increase its efforts to improve the housing conditions of internally displaced persons and ensure that they have access to basic services. Furthermore, it recommends that the State party step up its efforts to achieve long-term housing solutions for all displaced populations, as set out by the national housing policy and national strategy on longer-term shelter solutions. Right to food 49. The Committee is concerned about the prevalence of food insecurity and malnutrition in the State party (art. 11). 50. The Committee recommends that the State party intensify its efforts, including under the public distribution system project, to realize the right to food for everyone, particularly the disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups. Water and sanitation 51. The Committee is concerned about the water crisis in the State party, which has a disproportionate effect on the living conditions of Marsh Arabs in the south, many of whom have become internally displaced after having lost their livestock. It is also concerned that, as a result of the shortage of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, there has been an increase in the incidence of preventable diseases such as diarrhoea and cholera (art. 11). 52. The Committee recommends that the State party, in cooperation with neighbouring countries, intensify efforts to conclude agreements concerning the fair and equitable use of the river courses within its territory. The Committee also recommends that the State party develop a human-rights-based strategy on drought preparedness, taking into consideration the national drought management policy guidelines of 2014, and take effective steps, other than compensation for farmers, to assist those most affected by drought. Furthermore, the Committee recommends that the State party take preventive measures to control and stop the spread of diarrhoea and cholera, including by providing vaccinations and information on basic sanitation procedures. 9