Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq, (krg.org) - KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani today received Mr. Jan Eliasson, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, accompanied by Mr. Nikolay Mladenov, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, and several UN officials.

Mr. Eliasson conveyed the gratitude of the United Nations and the international community to the Kurdistan people and their government for welcoming and hosting over 1.5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees. He offered his condolences to the families of Kurdistan Region’s security forces, including the peshmerga, who lost their lives in protecting civilians against ISIS’ ruthless aggression.

The situation in Kobane and sending Peshmarga forces to the town and KRG’s support against ISIS aggression were among the topics discussed in the meeting.

KRG's role in restricting and reducing the threat of ISIS aggression in Iraq was also discussed. Prime Minister Barzani outlined the latest developments of the fight against terrorism. He noted that peshmerga forces along a 1,000-kilometer front are fighting not only for the  Kurdistan Region but also on behalf of the world.

It was mutually acknowledged that resolving the ISIS issue requires not only effective military efforts, but also efforts that accept and sincerely invite all Iraqis to participate in a political process that is genuinely inclusive.

The UN Deputy Secretary-General highlighted the importance of Kurdistan Region’s role in the national political process as essential and effective. He noted that a stable Iraq is also essential for Kurdistan.

Prime Minister Barzani reaffirmed KRG support for Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi’s government and that it wishes to resolve all outstanding issues through dialogue. He thanked the UN for supporting formal negotiations between Erbil and Baghdad during the formation of the government.

Prime Minister Barzani reiterated Kurdistan’s requirements of substantial humanitarian and military support from the international community to reduce suffering of more than 1.5 million displaced people and to prevent further ISIS’ aggression.

Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) - Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani today met with Ms Valerie Amos, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordination, to discuss the needs of refugees and internally displaced people seeking refuge in the Kurdistan Region.

The Under-Secretary-General and her accompanying delegation presented a summary of views and feedback regarding the humanitarian situation and the most important issues following their visit to camps for Iraq’s internally displaced people and Syrian refugees. Ms Amos conveyed the commendation of the United Nations and the international community for the efforts of the KRG in accommodating the displaced and providing for their needs despite limited capacity and the massive influx of people.

The delegation discussed a number of issues in the camps, including educational and health needs and fears that the number of displaced people and refugees could increase. Under-Secretary-General Amos reiterated her call for more assistance to be provided to the KRG from the international community, donor countries, and Iraq’s Federal Government to better meet the needs of the displaced.

Prime Minister Barzani noted that the KRG had opened its doors to displaced families and refugees from the beginning of this crisis, despite limited capacity, and have thus far managed to provide for their basic needs with help from the international community. The Prime Minister explained that the current situation and the needs of the displaced are well beyond his government’s capacity, particularly because the Region faces an economic crisis. This crisis has been caused by the Iraqi Government’s decision to withhold the KRG’s share of the federal budget for many months. The Prime Minister called upon the United Nations, the international community, and the Iraqi Government to fulfill their humanitarian responsibilities in assisting displaced families.