Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, (gov.krd) – In a conference held in Erbil to discuss the results of a joint programme conducted by Kurdistan Regional Government and World Bank on the impact of internally displaced people on the Kurdistan Region’s economy and society, Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani stressed the urgent need for additional assistance to address the crisis.

Prime Minister Barzani said, “The presence of close to two million refugees and IDPs has changed the demography of the Kurdistan Region; the population of the Region increased by 28 percent in 2014.” He stressed “The crises has placed a huge burden on the KRG, particularly in the sectors of education, health services, housing and related services, and employment.”

Following is the text of Prime Minister Barzani’s speech:

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Representatives from foreign countries,
Representatives of the World Bank,

Good morning to you all and welcome,

I am pleased to be here with you today to participate in this gathering to discuss the implementation of an important program pertaining to refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), and their impact on our Region’s economy and society.

I would like to thank the World Bank for accepting our request to assist in assessing the impact of refugees and IDPs on the socioeconomic life of the Kurdistan Region and the burden on the KRG.

I would also like to thank the KRG Ministry of Planning and relevant KRG organisations for the support they provided in conducting the assessment.

Ladies and gentlemen,

After 2003 the KRG embarked on a wide-ranging programme to achieve stability, economic development, and to improve all sectors in the Kurdistan Region. Some developments were achieved very quickly. Within a short period of time, our Region became a shining example on the map of the Middle East.

Regarding certain important issues and treatment by the Iraqi federal government we cannot deny the fact that we have had difficulties. Unfortunately, the previous Iraqi federal government did not take positive steps toward resolving outstanding issues; indeed, it further complicated the issues.

The impact of the Syria crisis has directly affected the Kurdistan Region. A significant number of Syrian refugees sought safe haven in our Region. Taking into consideration the international principles of human rights, we opened our doors and provided them with refuge and humanitarian assistance.

Due to worsening security elsewhere in the country, Iraqi citizens of all ethnic and religious backgrounds have been fleeing to our Region.

Triggered by overwhelming security events in Anbar, Salahuddin, and later Nineveh Governorates most displaced people arrived during the past one year. When Daesh (Islamic State terrorist organization) assumed control in Mosul and other areas, numerous Iraqi citizens became victims of brutal terror and ethnic cleansing, particularly Christians and Yezidis.

The sudden attacks by Daesh terrorists against the Kurdistan Region with advanced weapons captured from Iraqi army plunged the Kurdistan Region into an unwanted war. The Peshmerga forces performed their duty faithfully and continue to defend the security and dignity of the people of our Region along a frontline of more than one thousand kilometre long.

These crises occurred within a very short time and initially there was no plan on how to confront them. The former federal Iraqi government worsened the crisis.  In early 2014 the federal government withheld the payment of Kurdistan Region employees’ salaries and complicated the federal budgeting process. In addition to dealing with humanitarian and security challenges, the Kurdistan Region also faced a serious financial crisis.

The KRG believes the current crisis will end. But today we need the international community to provide major additional military and humanitarian support to our Region.

The presence of close to two million refugees and IDPs has changed the demography of the Kurdistan Region; the population of the Region increased by 28 percent in 2014. The crisis has placed a huge burden on the KRG, particularly in the areas of education, health services, housing, and employment.

I reiterate my call to the international community to take the situation of the Kurdistan Region seriously and to urgently provide additional assistance.

The data and information being presented today by the Ministry of Planning and the World Bank are of great importance to our Region.  It will help develop a road map to effectively address the financial and humanitarian challenges facing the Kurdistan Region.

The KRG pays serious attention to this study. Although the findings are not encouraging, it will help us deal with the humanitarian, security and financial challenges we face.  This study highlights the impact of the current crisis on health and other sectors. We should deal with the findings carefully. Notably, in some areas the number of refugees and IDPs exceeds the local population.

The existence of such a large number of refugees and IDPs is causing a negative impact on the daily life of our people. Major impacts include price inflation of basic commodities and high unemployment. The people and the government of the Kurdistan Region are under significant pressures.

I am very proud of the welcoming attitude of our people towards refugees and IDPs who have sought refuge in our Region. But we have to be mindful that the KRG alone, with its limited resources, cannot adequately care for the people of the Kurdistan Region as well as refugees and IDPs.

Regrettably, the Federal Government of Iraq has not taken the issue of displaced people in the Kurdistan Region seriously enough. Even though IDPs are all Iraqi citizens, the federal government has not yet adequately addressed their needs. For the KRG to cover their needs, one billion and four hundred thousand US dollars will be needed this year.

I would like to extend my gratitude to the members of international coalition against Daesh, to UN Agencies and international organizations and governments for their support and solidarity in providing humanitarian and military assistance to our Region. We keep in mind, however, that considering the magnitude of the crisis we are in need of major additional assistance. 

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the people of the Kurdistan Region and to the staff of the KRG for their resilience and support during such critical times. Today the Kurdistan Region on the one hand faces funding constraints by the federal government and on the other hand is directly involved in the fight against Daesh.

The people of Kurdistan Region are experiencing a war situation that brings only destruction, calamity, and socioeconomic turmoil.

I also take this opportunity to thank our heroic peshmerga who fight a most brutal international terrorist organization with their limited resources to defend the security and stability of our Region.  To effectively continue the fight and to successfully put an end to this war it is essential the international coalition provide our peshmerga with heavy weaponry and advanced military expertise.

It is expected that the fight against Daesh and the Syrian crisis to continue and the crisis facing the Kurdistan Region will not end in the near future. It is likely that more IDPs and refugees will seek refuge in our Region. 

To strengthen our capacity to address the humanitarian and security crises it is thus very important to implement effective mechanisms in coordination with the federal government and the international community.

In Iraq, the crises have resulted from inadequate compliance with the constitution, political exclusion, and excessive concentration of political and economic power, particularly during the previous federal administration.

I call upon the current Iraqi Federal Government to take the humanitarian crisis caused by IDPs and refugees seriously and to make it a national priority. From a legal point of view, the onus of responsibility first lies with the federal government.  I also urge the federal government to make concerted efforts to obtain international recognition of the crimes committed against Yezidi Kurds as acts of genocide and to play an effective role in the protection of our Christian brothers and sisters.

In the midst of the current challenges we remain committed to efforts that enhance democracy and political stability, and to defend universal human rights, peaceful coexistence, and religious tolerance.

We believe in ourselves and we are determined to build a strong economy. We are for good neighbourly relations with our neighbouring countries as well as to improving our Region. I look forward to the KRG, the World Bank, and the rest of the international community playing more effective roles in alleviating the suffering of all displaced people in the Kurdistan Region.

Once again, welcome to you all. I wish you all success.  Thank you.