Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received the United Nations Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Stephen O’Brien, and his accompanying delegation.

Mr. O’Brien briefed the Prime Minister on his visit to Baghdad where he visited camps of internally displaced persons, IDPs. He said he will also visit IDP and refugee camps in the Kurdistan Region.

Mr. O’Brien thanked the Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG, for the assistance it has been offering to displaced people. He described the relations between the United Nations agencies and KRG as positive and effective.

He said that the United Nations’ 2015 plan for assisting displaced people is soliciting over $1.5 billion from donor countries.  He said, however, few countries so far offered assistance, except Kuwait that announced it will donate $200 million.

Mr. O’Brien noted that within the framework of the 2016 plan the Kurdistan Region will be dealt with separately as it disproportionately needs more assistance than other areas of Iraq.

Prime Minister Barzani said that due to the arrival of a high number of displaced people, particularly since the Islamic State terrorist organisation captured Mosul last June, the population of the Region has increased by 28 percent and continues to increase. Though all IDPs are Iraqi citizens, he noted the Iraqi government does not help to accommodate them and provide assistance to meet their needs in areas under KRG control.  This has put an enormous burden on the Kurdistan Region.

Prime Minister Barzani called on the international community to assume its responsibilities as the Kurdistan Region accommodates and provides assistance to a very high number of refugees and IDPs, while at the same time it conducts a war against terrorism on behalf of the entire world. 

He warned that due to ongoing war in Syria and Iraq, the Kurdistan Region could face additional waves of refugees and IDPs.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani today met with President of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) David Miliband in his office in Salahaddin to discuss the humanitarian situation of the IDPs and refugees in Kurdistan.

Mr. Miliband said his organization has been active in Kurdistan, and he is here to find out for himself how the IRC could further help the KRG cope with the large numbers of IDPs. He said the IRC would conduct advocacy in countries around the world to direct more urgently needed assistance for IDPs and help the KRG cope with this heavy burden.

For his part, President Barzani thanked the IRC for its activities helping IDPs and refugees. He stated that providing shelter and assistance for the IDPs is a priority of the KRG, but the fundamental solution to this problem is to expel the terrorists and for these people to then be able to return to their homes.
The two also discussed the political and security situation in the country in general.

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.

Baghdad, Iraq (dfr.krg.org) – The Government of Iraq, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), and the United Nations agencies held a roundtable meeting with the donor countries and diplomats based in Baghdad to encourage international community to provide support for Iraq’s internally displaced persons (IDP).

Karim Sinjari, Minister of Interior, Ali Sindi, Minister of Planning, and Falah Mustafa, Head of Department of Foreign Relation represented KRG in the meeting, which was chaired by Saleh al-Mutlaq, Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister for Construction and Services and attended by Iraq’s ministers of foreign affairs, finance, migration and displacement, representatives of UN agencies as well as 40 ambassadors.

Deputy Prime Mnister Mutlaq said, “Deterioration of security in Iraq, which is mainly caused by the attacks of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), has resulted in the displacement of nearly two million people.”

He added, “Addressing the needs of the IDPs is out of the capacity of Iraq. We are facing harsh financial challenges and sharp decline of oil price has exacerbated the situation. Iraq is in need of $5 billion to address the needs of IDPs and their return to their areas.”

Iraq’s finance minister, Hoshiyar Zebari, gave an overview of the financial crisis facing Iraq and announced that the federal government has agreed to allocate $850 million for the ministry of migration and displacement as part of the 215 budget.

According to the KRG Ministry of Planning and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 47 percent of all Iraq’s 2 million displaced are now in the Kurdistan Region. The rest of the IDPs are spread throughout Iraq having fled conflicts in Anbar, Ninewa, Diyala and Salah al-Din governorates. As people continue to flee the violence, the latest count indicates that some 946,266 Iraqis (157,711 families) have sought sanctuary in the region since the beginning of the year. This represents an increase of 53,526 individuals since 1 September.

KRG minister of Planning discussed the difficulties facing the KRG in addressing the needs of IDPs in the Region. He said, “Hosting of IDPs in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq is placing a huge burden on the region’s social services, as well as its financial resources, which is becoming unsustainable.”

“This humanitarian emergency is far from over and with the winter months the challenges are becoming greater by the day. The partnership between the Government of Iraq, the KRG and the international community is fundamental to address the response, but this is not enough: fresh funds are now needed to avert this crisis from becoming a humanitarian catastrophe,” said Jacqueline Badcock, the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq.

Commenting on the meeting, Minister Mustafa said, “The large number of IDPs in the Region has stretched our infrastructure and social services to the limit. This was a good opportunity for KRG to be present in Baghdad to address members of international community in highlighting the plight of IDPs.” 

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (DFR.KRG.org)–The Head of the KRG Department of Foreign Relations, Minister Falah Mustafa, yesterday received Mr Georges Dallemagne, Member of the Belgian Parliament, and representatives of Chaldean and Syriac communities in Belgium.

Mr Dallemagne said that the purpose of the visit was to acquire up-to-date information regarding the needed humanitarian and security assistance for the Kurdistan Region in order to provide information and recommendation for the people and government of Belgium on how to best support the Kurdistan Region.

MrDallemagne said, “The Kurdistan Region has done an impressive job in sheltering IDPs and refugees and protecting and defending the civilians and ethnic and religious minority groups against the barbaric acts of Islamic State terrorists.”

“The government of Belgium has agreed to provide military assistance for Kurdistan and I will urge the government to translate its statement into concrete actions in the fastest possible manner,” he added.

Minister Mustafa thanked Mr Dallemagne for his expression of solidarity with the Kurdistan Region and briefed him on the humanitarian and security developments on the ground.

The representatives of the Chaldean and Syriac communities in Belgium praised the role of the Kurdistan Region in sheltering and defending members of religious minorities and noted the culture of peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance in the Kurdistan Region.

The Minister said, “We are proud to have developed a culture of democracy, peaceful coexistence, and religious tolerance here in Kurdistan. These values are deeply rooted in our culture and we are determined to preserve and defend such values.”

Bothe sides also touched upon the possibility of establishing channels of cooperation and communication between the Parliament of Belgium and the Parliament of Kurdistan.

Salahadin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (krp.org)- President Barzani received a delegation from the Assyrian Church of the East today at his office in Salahadin. The delegation was headed by a special envoy from Mar Dinkha IV, the current Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East.

During the meeting the delegation expressed their support for the Kurdistan Region for its efforts against the terrorists of the ISIS. The delegation also conveyed a message of peace from Mar Dinkha IV and expressed, on his behalf the Church's appreciation for the Kurdistan Region's management of the current IDP crisis facing the Region.

President Barzani reiterated his stance of coexistence to the delegation and added that the Kurdistan Region is home to all religious minorities without exception. President Barzani also stated that the Kurdistan Region has been home to Muslims, Christians and Yezidis for centuries and that ISIS would not be able to alter that way of life.

Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) – Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani and senior KRG officials yesterday met with a high-level British delegation in Erbil aimed at expediting humanitarian aid delivery and coordination.

The UK Secretary of State for International Development, Justine Greening, and the Minister for the Middle East, Tobias Ellwood, arrived in Erbil to accelerate provision of humanitarian support for displaced families sheltered in the Kurdistan Region.

Both sides discussed educational, health, and humanitarian challenges facing Iraqi internally displaced people (IDPs) and Syrian refugees now residing in the Kurdistan Region. The KRG, with help from the international community, is providing for the needs of these families. The British delegation noted a decision to increase humanitarian aid and coordinate directly with the KRG and non-governmental organisations in Kurdistan. The delegation also noted the importance of working closely with the relevant United Nations agencies.

Deputy Prime Minister Talabani emphasised that the Kurdistan Regional Government, despite enormous financial difficulty, has managed to come to the rescue of displaced people and refugees who have sought shelter in the Kurdistan Region. He stressed that the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) terrorist organisation cannot be allowed a foothold anywhere in Iraq, calling for further coordination between the KRG and Baghdad in combating the terrorists and providing humanitarian aid for IDPs in Kurdistan, where Baghdad should take on a more active role.

Minister of Interior Karim Sinjari, Minister of Planning Dr Ali Sindi, Minister of Health Dr Rekawt Rashid, Head of Foreign Relations Minister Falah Mustafa, and KRG Representative to the UK Bayan Rahman also attended the meeting on behalf of the KRG.

President Masoud Barzani met with the visiting Norwegian Foreign Minister Børge Brendein Erbil on Tuesday. The President and the the Norwegian Foreign Minister discussed the fight against ISIS terrorists, the humanitarian plight of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi IDPs, and government formation process in Baghdad.

President Barzani thanked the Norwegian Foreign Minister for his visit and said that this visit demonstrates Norway’s solidarity and support for the Kurdistan Region. Address the plight of hundreds of thousands of IDPs is beyond the capacity of the KRG and there is a dire need for international support and cooperation, said the President.

Foreign Minister Brende said he is visiting to show his country’s solidarity and support to the people of Kurdistan in their struggle against terrorism, adding that the KRG can depend on Norway for both humanitarian and military support. He further added that his country has already provided 25 million US dollars for the humanitarian crisis and it intends to provide an additional 10 million.