All IDP Camps in Sulaymaniyah are Set to Close Next Week

Kurdistan 01:16 PM - 2024-07-04

IDPs in camps

The final group of IDPs from the camps in Sulaymaniyah Province, comprising 250 families, is set to be returned to their homes within the upcoming week. As a result, the Federal Ministry of Migration and Displacement will proceed to shut down its four camps in the province, following the return of all the IDPs residing in them. However, there are still barriers preventing the IDPs in Erbil and Duhok camps from returning to their homes. 
 

Sulaymaniyah Governorate: We provided all facilities for the return of IDPs 

Shaho Othman, the Deputy Governor of Sulaymaniyah, stated to PUKMEDIA that the Sulaymaniyah Governorate has ensured the provision of all necessary facilities for the return of IDPs to their homes.
 
He further said: "The Iraqi Council of Ministers has decided to send home the IDPs. We have provided assistance to the federal Ministry of Migration in order to efficiently carry out its duties, ensuring the prompt return of the IDPs and the permanent closure of all camps."
 

The camps will be closed next week

According to Samer Mashkur, the Director of the Kurdistan Region Governorates Department at the Federal Ministry of Migration and Displacement, the final group of displaced families from the camps in Sulaymaniyah will be returning next week.

He stated that there are approximately 250 families still residing in Sulaymaniyah, who are currently waiting for the necessary formal procedures to be completed in order to be transported back to their original areas. Therefore, all camps located in Sulaymaniyah Governorate will be shut down.

He clarified that, in collaboration with the Sulaymaniyah Governorate, 743 families have recently been returned from the Ashti camp in Sulaymaniyah to their respective areas, the majority of whom are residents of Salah al-Din Governorate.
 

IDPs in Erbil and Duhok are prevented to return 

Previously, Mashkur told PUKMEDIA that IDPs in Erbil and Duhok are being prevented from returning to their areas. The Joint Crisis Coordination Centre of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is even denying entry to teams from the Iraqi Ministry of Migration, who aim to assist in facilitating their return. Furthermore, the Ministry of Interior of the KRG is obstructing the return of the IDPs. 

"The deterioration of relations between the Iraqi Ministry of Migration and the KRG's Ministry of Interior has adversely affected the return of IDPs. A total of 250 displaced families have returned to their homes in the camps of Erbil province between January 24th and July 1st. However, the return of IDPs in Duhok province is still being hindered," said Mashkur.

He explained that among the 22,000 displaced families, around 2,400 have voluntarily returned to their homes after formally requesting to do so through the Ministry of Migration.
 

All camps in Kurdistan must close by the end of July

Mashkur emphasised that all camps in the Region must close by the end of July in accordance with the directive of the Iraqi Council of Ministers.  If the Ministry of Interior in the Region persists in obstructing the return of the IDPs, the federal government must implement the necessary actions. Additionally, the KRG should assume full responsibility for covering the living expenses of the IDPs as well as meeting their basic needs for water, electricity, and housing.  In line with his statement, the Federal Ministry of Migration is providing funding for a total of 500 million dinars toward these charges.  . 



PUKMEDIA